EnSync Energy Systems today announced a 20-year power purchase agreement with Hawai’i Pacific University to build a 211-kW photovoltaic (PV) system on four buildings at its affiliate not-for-profit, the Oceanic Institute, on Oahu, Hawaii.
Nestled next to the iconic Sea Life Park Hawaii aquarium on the far eastern point of the island, the Oceanic Institute works as an applied aquaculture research facility to support the development of more efficient and productive farming in controlled underwater habitats. The Oceanic Institute works to improve the systems managing what the World Wildlife Fund describes as the fastest growing food production system in the world.
“Working with Hawai’i Pacific University and the Oceanic Institute of HPU enables us to champion both responsible coastal resource management and now sustainable, local energy. Just as its technology leadership has had ripple effects on the aquaculture industry, we hope the Oceanic Institute’s interest in solar energy technology will spread as well,” said Brad Hansen, CEO of EnSync Energy.
The Oceanic Institute, like other aquaculture facilities, has a large energy load to meet its mission-critical energy needs, which include constant water pumping. To find and deliver the lowest-cost, most reliable electricity from multiple sources, EnSync Energy performed detailed modeling of the site, the load consumption data, available energy assets and technical design options to optimize the final design and validate financial return on the photovoltaic system’s production numbers.
The 211-kW roof-mounted PV installation will support the Oceanic Institute’s large load by generating local and clean energy to be used on-site. The solar project will reduce the facility’s energy costs, which in Hawaii are the highest in the nation, by lowering the aquaculture research facility’s total grid-supplied energy use, reducing expensive peak demand charges and adding resiliency.
“Our partnership with EnSync Energy furthers HPU’s commitment to innovative energy solutions and sustainable business practices,” said Bruce Edwards, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of HPU. “We’re proud initiatives like this and our PV installation at Aloha Tower Marketplace are helping Hawai’i meet its clean energy goal.”
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