Ameresco Case Studies Large Scale Renewable Energy Project Enhances Resilience and Security of Hawaiian Grid

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	Large Scale Renewable Energy Project Enhances Resilience and Security of Hawaiian Grid Ameresco

Large Scale Renewable Energy Project Enhances Resilience and Security of Hawaiian Grid

Ameresco

Technology Category	Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Storage Services Other - Battery
Applicable Industries	National Security & Defense Renewable Energy
Use Cases	Leasing Finance Automation Tamper Detection
Services	System Integration
Challenge	The Department of Defense (DoD) was seeking long-term energy security initiatives in Hawaii, particularly on O‘ahu. The challenge was to make use of approximately 131 acres of underutilized lands within the Navy West Loch Annex of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in O’ahu, HI. The goal was to provide critical energy upgrades and align with the state of Hawaii's goal of 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2045. The project was expected to commence operations in the first quarter of 2024. The challenge also included the need to stabilize the cost of energy for Hawaiian Electric (HECO) customers, reduce carbon emissions, and boost local employment and the business economy. Read More
About Customer	The customers of this project are the residents of O‘ahu, Hawaii, who will benefit from the clean, renewable energy provided by Kūpono Solar. The project is expected to power approximately 10,000 homes on O‘ahu, putting underutilized land to long-term, sustainable use. In addition to providing clean energy, the project is expected to reduce more than 50,000 tons of CO2 from Hawaii’s environment, align with the state's goal of 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2045, stabilize the cost of energy for HECO customers, and boost local employment and the business economy. Read More
Solution	Ameresco and Bright Canyon Energy (BCE) established a joint venture known as Kūpono Solar to focus on renewable energy, energy security, and resiliency on O‘ahu. They signed a 37-year land lease with the U.S. Navy to use the underutilized lands for the project. With their combined experience of 20 years in developing renewable energy and infrastructure systems in Hawai’i, they are developing a large scale solar and battery energy storage system. This system is designed to deliver sustainable, renewable energy to the local utility, Hawaiian Electric (HECO)’s grid. The project includes a 42 MW solar array and a 42 MW / 168 MWh (four-hour duration) of lithium-ion battery storage system. The batteries are designed to store solar energy beyond sunset hours. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Storage Services

Other - Battery

Applicable Industries

National Security & Defense

Renewable Energy

Use Cases

Leasing Finance Automation

Tamper Detection

Services

System Integration

Challenge

The Department of Defense (DoD) was seeking long-term energy security initiatives in Hawaii, particularly on O‘ahu. The challenge was to make use of approximately 131 acres of underutilized lands within the Navy West Loch Annex of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in O’ahu, HI. The goal was to provide critical energy upgrades and align with the state of Hawaii's goal of 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2045. The project was expected to commence operations in the first quarter of 2024. The challenge also included the need to stabilize the cost of energy for Hawaiian Electric (HECO) customers, reduce carbon emissions, and boost local employment and the business economy.

About Customer

The customers of this project are the residents of O‘ahu, Hawaii, who will benefit from the clean, renewable energy provided by Kūpono Solar. The project is expected to power approximately 10,000 homes on O‘ahu, putting underutilized land to long-term, sustainable use. In addition to providing clean energy, the project is expected to reduce more than 50,000 tons of CO2 from Hawaii’s environment, align with the state's goal of 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2045, stabilize the cost of energy for HECO customers, and boost local employment and the business economy.

Solution

Ameresco and Bright Canyon Energy (BCE) established a joint venture known as Kūpono Solar to focus on renewable energy, energy security, and resiliency on O‘ahu. They signed a 37-year land lease with the U.S. Navy to use the underutilized lands for the project. With their combined experience of 20 years in developing renewable energy and infrastructure systems in Hawai’i, they are developing a large scale solar and battery energy storage system. This system is designed to deliver sustainable, renewable energy to the local utility, Hawaiian Electric (HECO)’s grid. The project includes a 42 MW solar array and a 42 MW / 168 MWh (four-hour duration) of lithium-ion battery storage system. The batteries are designed to store solar energy beyond sunset hours.

Impact #1	The operational results of the Kūpono Solar project are significant. It aligns with the state of Hawaii's goal of 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2045. It also supports the Department of Defense’s long-term energy security initiative. The project is expected to stabilize the cost of energy for Hawaiian Electric (HECO) customers, which is a significant benefit for the local residents. The project also boosts local employment and the business economy, contributing to the overall economic health of the region. Furthermore, the project creates a healthier environment for Hawaii residents to live, work, and play by reducing carbon emissions.

Impact #1

The operational results of the Kūpono Solar project are significant. It aligns with the state of Hawaii's goal of 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2045. It also supports the Department of Defense’s long-term energy security initiative. The project is expected to stabilize the cost of energy for Hawaiian Electric (HECO) customers, which is a significant benefit for the local residents. The project also boosts local employment and the business economy, contributing to the overall economic health of the region. Furthermore, the project creates a healthier environment for Hawaii residents to live, work, and play by reducing carbon emissions.

Benefit #1	42MW Solar Energy Generation Capacity
Benefit #2	131 Acres of Underutilized Navy land put to use
Benefit #3	168 MWh Energy Storage Capacity

Benefit #1

42MW Solar Energy Generation Capacity

Benefit #2

131 Acres of Underutilized Navy land put to use

Benefit #3

168 MWh Energy Storage Capacity

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Overview

Large Scale Renewable Energy Project Enhances Resilience and Security of Hawaiian Grid

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit