Makai to Install Turbine Generator at OTEC Facility
Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. is working on two projects to help the Navy reach its energy goal of having half of its total energy consumption ashore to come from alternative sources by 2020.
Currently the Navy is 700 megawatts short of meeting its goal and Makai Ocean Engineering is assisting in closing the gap. The first project, expected to be completed by February 2014, is the design, planning and procurement of a 100-kilowatt turbine-generator for the Hawaii Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Test Facility in Kona.
The second project includes the installation and operation of this turbine-generator, as well as the design and testing of two new OTEC heat exchangers. OTEC is a technically and economically plausible way for private industry to furnish 200 to 300 megawatts of baseload, renewable electricity to USN and USMC bases for Oahu and Guam.
"Makai Ocean Engineering is committed to developing alternative energy solutions that are impactful and ahead of the curve," says Billy Pieper, vice president of Makai Ocean Engineering. "Due to our partnership with the Navy, I believe Makai will help achieve a more sustainable future with the solutions we are pursuing."
Due to their size, heat exchangers are one of the most expensive components in an OTEC power plant. A small increase in efficiency can dramatically drive down cost. Makai's focus is to optimize the heat exchanger design by reducing material and fabrication costs, improving thermal efficiency and maximizing its life in the corrosive seawater environment. An estimated $3.6 million is slated for the project.
Michael Eldred, project manager of the OTEC Test Facility, says that the technical benefits of having a turbine are huge. "Besides the obvious benefit of once again including OTEC power on the grid, it will also validate the results from our OTEC models and allow us to fine-tune our control systems," he says.
Guam Dock Repairs Complete; New Project Begins
In back-to-back ceremonies, the Port Authority of Guam on March 8 cut the ribbon to mark the completion of the dock repairs and broke ground to start the second phase of the marina renovation and site improvements.
"Our staff has been working diligently with Black Construction and our stakeholders to arrive at this point," said Joanne Brown, PAG general manager.
Phase II of the marina project—funded by the Department of Interior—involves the demolition and rebuilding of walkways and the monitoring station building in the port area.
The dock repairs were jointly funded by the PAG and the DOI U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration.
Maui Crews Get Sealcoat Training
SealMaster Hawaii spent two days in late February training three crews on Maui on the proper use of equipment and the application of two sealcoats of MasterSeal OptiPave Plus for the island's streets and highways.
"They performed cleaning and hot crackfill prior to our arrival," says John Moody, vice president of Walker-Moody Asphalt Maintenance Ltd. and SealMaster Hawaii. "We then trained them on how to apply sealcoat, do the edging, and use the squeegee machine and spray machine. We applied the first coat on day one and the second coat on day two."
Maui is the first county in the state to do sealcoating. The county recently purchased a SP575 dual spray/squeegee machine and a TR750 SprayMaster with Pro-Air System, and SealMaster Hawaii provided training on their use.
Hilo's Edith Kanakaole Stadium Open
The renovated and expanded Edith Kanakaole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo was blessed during a ceremony on March 18. Mayor Billy Kenoi recognized the contractors, Isemoto Contracting Co. Ltd., and the 15 subcontractors, on meeting a three-month construction deadline.
"Without all your hard work, we wouldn't be here at this time. Mahalo everybody," Kenoi said.
The blessing was performed by Kahu Leifi Hao of Ka Hoku Ao Malamalama church in Keaukaha.
Anchored by a new 4,200-square-foot building featuring six dressing/meeting rooms and tiled restrooms, the modernized facility can be used for such varied public events as trade shows, school graduations and the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Other features include a new color, native landscaping, new fencing and covered side entrances. Inside is an expanded lobby, a larger concession area, an upgraded electrical system to support enhanced lighting and sound system capabilities, a replacement sewer line, drainage improvements and a larger vehicle entrance.
The stadium upgrade is the part of a $4 million revitalization of the Hoolulu Complex.
Ness Turf Equipment Opens in Kapolei
Ness Turf Equipment, a subsidiary of equipment dealer Hawthorne Cat, opened a retail outlet in Kapolei in March. The store, located at 91-220 Kalaeloa Blvd., is Ness Turf Equipment's first retail location in Hawaii.
All Build Construction, LLC did the remodeling of the building in Campbell Industrial Park. Ness Turf Equipment offers commercial and residential agriculture and landscaping products from such major brands as Toro, eXmark, Club Car, Morbark, Land Pride and Garia.
Greenpath Installs Ground-Mount PV System
Steven Kalish and Fabi Vlchek, longtime advocates of sustainable living practices and alternative medicinal therapies for transformative healing powers, say installing solar power at their Mahalo Aina Sanctuary, LLC, in Papaaloa, Hilo, "made pure sense."
They turned to Greenpath Technologies, Inc. (GPT) to install a ground-mount PV system at their property. Providing power to the main residence, according to GPT, are "46 Conergy PowerPlus 225 modules connected to a 2 x SMA SB5000US inverters for a system size of 10.350 kW DC." Providing power to the separate agricultural facility, GPT says, is an "off-grid system that consists of 18 Conergy PowerPlus 225W modules connected to an Outback Radian inverter and a 48V 240 AH battery bank for a system size of 4.050 kW DC."
The property's owners say the system is good for both the environment and their lifestyle.
"We believe the responsibility starts with each and every one of us, one step at a time, if we expect to have a healthy planet for future generations," Kalish says. "The use of alternative solar energy assists our agriculture efforts as we now provide over 90 percent of the food we consume, run a small animal farm, and grow and prepare medicinal topical, hydrotherapeutical and internal herbs.
"Using alternative solar power energy made pure sense in what we do and how we live."
According to Briand Achong, president of GPT, both systems produce enough electrical to run the sanctuary's agricultural facility, while the battery pack stores energy.
"This was a great example of generating power in a rural area where roof space is limited and idle ground is readily available," Achong says. "A ground-mount system is ideal in situations like this where there is limited, or no, utility connection, or in instances where there is feeder saturation. It also helps to maximize the land's potential while meeting the facility's energy requirements."
Bonterra Solar Powers Up Simply Storage
Bonterra Solar has completed the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Simply Storage of Hawaii. The new system at the Iwilei self-storage company is powered by 298 PV panels manufactured by U.S.-based Solar World.
"With Bonterra's no-money-down financing option we were able to cut our monthly electrical cost by 40 to 50 percent which has allowed us to increase our cash flow," said Simply Storage owner Todd Middleton, who also hired Bonterra to install a photovoltaic system on his house. "In today's tough economic times, cash flow is vital to a business' success."
In its first year, the new PV system is expected to save Simply Storage more than $29,000 in electrical costs.
The PV system is expected to generate an average of 75 kwh each year to power the 15,000 square-foot storage facility's 24-hour, year-round climate control system and round-the-clock video surveillance and security alarm system.
St. Francis Dedicates Ewa Center
The St. Francis Intergenerational Center in Ewa Beach, which will offer both a preschool and an adult day care, was dedicated on Fb. 28. The $8 million, 15,000-square-foot center is located across the street from another St. Francis Healthcare System project—Franciscan Vistas Ewa, a 149-unit senior independent living community.
The adult day center will provide daily supervised support for up to 42 adults. The preschool is anticipated to serve up to 88 youngsters age 3 to 6 years.
Bishop Larry Silva of the Diocese of Honolulu conducted a formal blessing of the center. Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Pamela Witty-Oakland, director of the department of community services in Mayor Kirk Caldwell's cabinet, were present for the dedication ceremony.
Coastal Construction was the contractor on the project, which began last March.
"More families are being stretched to the limit and are stressed more than ever before because of greater demands at work and longer commute times," said Sister William Marie Eleniki, OSF, a St. Francis Healthcare System executive who previously served as principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City for 10 years and St. Michael's School in Waialua for 15 years. "The St. Francis Intergenerational Center nurtures these families, while also providing opportunities for kupuna and keiki to share mutually enriching experiences together."
Maui Company Partners with Prefab Builder
Maui contractor Cutting Edge Development has partnered with Blu Homes to deliver and install its prefab "green" homes in Hawaii.
Built in the company's 250,000-square-foot factory in Vallejo, Calif., the homes have structural steel framing and are folded for quick and cost-effective transportation and setting up on site. Once delivered, the homes typically are completed in four to six weeks.
"When it comes to building in Hawaii, choices are limited and it's expensive," said Lars Wernars of Cutting Edge Development."My team and I have been building green homes in Hawaii for many years and I'm excited to be partnering with Blu Homes to give Hawaii customers more options for beautiful, modern green homes that can be constructed in a short timeframe with limited impact on the environment."
From single-level studios and cottages to two-story, four-bedroom homes, each of Blu Homes' eight home models includes open floor plans, up to 16-foot ceilings and expansive windowed walls.