Construction on new solar and storage microgrids on two Hawaiian Islands is underway to strengthen energy resiliency at key state Department of Transportation (DOT) facilities.

The state of Hawai’i DOT is working with developer Sustainability Partners and engineering and construction firm Hensel Phelps to build microgrids in O’ahu and Kaua’i. Both microgrids will contain solar canopies, battery energy storage and electric vehicle charging stations.

The systems will include intelligent microgrid controls to integrate the various resources and loads. Schneider Electric is deploying its EcoStruxure microgrid control system to the projects.

Getting to construction on the Oʻahu and Kauaʻi microgrids represents years of planning, engineering, and coordination with HDOT Highways, Hensel Phelps, our utility partners, and many others," said Arnold Albiar, Managing Partner, Hawaiʻi, Sustainability Partners, in a statement. "These microgrids are about developing resilient and sustainable transportation systems, helping the State of Hawaiʻi move forward to a cleaner, low-carbon future."

The O’ahu microgrid will service HDOT’s District Main Office at Kakoi Street on that island. It will include a 1-MW battery storage system with solar PV canopies capable of generating 1.5 MWh at capacity. The O’ahu office also will have more than 40 Level 2 EV chargers and 1 200-kW dual-port direct current fast charger.

The Kauaʻi microgrid will power HDOT Highways' Kauaʻi District Main Office Facility on Haleukana Street and protect operations in the even of an outage. The project includes a 1 MW battery energy storage system and solar PV canopies expected to generate 700 kWh of renewable energy per day. This site will include over 12 Level 2 Chargers and 1 Dual-Port 200 kW DC Fast Charger.

"These projects represent another important step in strengthening the resiliency of Hawaiʻi's infrastructure," said Ed Sniffen, Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Director. "These PV and battery storage systems provide critical energy security for our teams during severe weather and multi-day blackouts."

Both will be guided by the EcoStruxure microgrid control systems.