Kahauiki Village

Kahauiki Village provides long term, affordable residences for homeless families. Modeled after Hawaii’s plantation era culture, Kahauiki Village’s vision is to break the cycle of homelessness by embracing:

• A Public-private partnership to finance, construct, and support the families with on-site social agency and child-care facilities, and commitments from neighboring businesses to hire village residents.

• A 144-family master planned community built on an underutilized 11.3 acre parcel with the following features:

  • Re-use of homes were originally built for the Tohoku, Japan tsunami victims

  • Community support buildings

  • Garden areas, fish farms, and recreational areas

• Low-cost, maintainable, and sustainable construction solutions.

InSynergy Engineering, Inc. in collaboration with PhotonWorks, engineered an integrated off-grid renewable energy micro-grid that includes:

• the first application of a solar-powered microgrid to an entire residential community in Hawaii,

• first of its kind shared photovoltaic (PV) system with battery energy storage,

• gas for cooking, backup water heating and power generation,

• a grid electricity tie for the battery trickle charging.

The integrated microgrid system design includes full mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, as well as 1956 kw of PV, a 1.965 MWH BESS, and a 300 kw standby LPG generator. Completed in 2018, this innovative projects includes the implementation of a reliable and failsafe microgrid control system that accommodates all potential modes of operation due to a lack of proven off-the-shelf solutions. In addition, it utilizes larger, lower cost inverters that serve multiple housing units and distributed sewer lift stations, and uses three-phased balanced power distribution within housing units.

This project was awarded a 2019 ACECH Engineering Excellence Design Award.

Fuji Film Facility Photovoltaic System

Installation of Photovoltaic System at the Fuji Film Facility

Waipahu, Hawaii

Our portion of the work included the electrical engineering services associated with the installation of a new photovoltaic (PV) system for the Fuji Film facility. The new PV system will consist of thirty-four (34) Sunny Boy 8000US inverters, one (1) Sunny Boy 6000US inverter, roof mounted PV panels, new Hawaiian Electric Company (HECo) service entrance equipment and metering facilities and associated electrical equipment.

Our scope of work includes the following:

• Provide electrical engineering services to support the installation of the new PV system. The concept for the new PV system concept will be similar to that shown in the documents provided by 21st Century Technologies.
• Coordination with 21st Century Technologies and their PV equipment supplier to ensure that the proposed PV system can be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and other applicable codes and standards.
• Coordination with HECO and the preparation of a request for electrical service and the installation of metering facilities.
• A site investigation, coordination with other disciplines and preparation of electrical construction documents and limited construction services.
• Construction services consisting of the review of shop drawings, review of substitution requests, office consultation, site observation, and preparation of final punch list, and drafting of record drawings.
• Site visits for observation of electrical construction, including visit for final punchlist.
• Drafting services for record drawings.

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Energy Efficiency and Conservation Projects

Various Locations, Statewide

We are providing the mechanical and electrical engineering design services to provide energy efficiency and energy conservation improvements generally consist of providing alternative energy (solar photovoltaic or wind power) systems, provision of solar hot water heating systems, and the replacement or retrofit of existing lighting systems. The scope of work includes the following:

• Kokee State Park and Waimea Canyon Lookout, Kauai:  Providing a new roof mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the existing Lodge, Museum, and Pavilion; and a new solar PV system on a new free-standing structure near the existing maintenance facilities.
• Mauna Kea State Park, Hawaii:  Providing a new roof mounted solar hot water heating system for seven existing rental cabins; new roof mounted solar PV systems on two existing barracks; and a new ground mounted vertical or horizontal wind turbine.
• Wainapanapa State Park, Maui:  Providing solar water heating systems for twelve existing rental cabins; a new roof mounted solar PV system on the existing Caretaker’s Office and Cottage; and new roof mounted solar PV systems on twelve exisitng rental cabins.
• Wailua Marina Sewage Pumping Station and Polihale State Park Well, Kauai:  Providing a new solar PV system on a new free-standing structure near the sewage pumping station; and a new solar PV system on a new free-standing structure near the well.
• Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu:  Providing a new solar PV system on the existing comfort station.
• Hapuna State Park, Hawaii:  Providing solar water heating systems for two existing comfort stations including modifications to the existing “cold water only” piping; new roof mounted solar PV system on the existing Maintenance Building; new roof mounted solar PV system on the existing dining hall; new ground mounted vertical or horizontal wind turbine; replace/retrofit the existing lighting systems for the dining hall; two new roof mounted PV systems on the existing South and North comfort stations; and replace/retrofit the existing lighting systems for the South and North Comfort Stations.

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Kalaeloa Solar Plant One

Design and Construction Management Services for Kalaeloa Solar Plant One

KALAELOA, HAWAII

InSynergy Engineering, Inc. is currently providing the mechanical and electrical engineering work, including support from our power plant subconsultant, to design a new 5 MW concentrated solar array solar thermal electric power plant for the Department of Hawaiian Homes.

Our scope of work includes providing design for the Building Shell and Site Design and Power Plant Design, as follows:

Building Shell and Site Design

• Develop a building plan in coordination with structural engineer and architect to accommodate the Organic Rankine Cycle (OrC) generators, switchgear, and associated auxiliary equipment.
• Provide the site electrical distribution for the incoming HECO electrical service and for CATV and telephone from Oceanic and Hawaiian Telcom.
• Provide building ventilation, plumbing, interior power distribution, lighting, and fire protection/fire alarm systems for the buildings.
• Coordinate the water, sanitary sewer, and fire protection main utility requirements, and site grading and site roadway and access requirements with civil engineers.

Power Plant Design

• Assist in the development of the overall power plant concept, including selection of the concentrated solar arrays, ORC generators, switchgear, black-start generator, and associated auxiliary equipment.
• Develop the piping design for the hot oil circulation piping from the main headers from the collectors to the ORC generators, including thermal stress analysis and pipe support and connection detailing to comply with ASME B31 in coordination with the structural engineer.
• Develop the piping connection and foundation design for the solar collectors, storage tanks, ORC generators, cooling towers, pumps, and all other ancillary equipment with the structural engineer.
• Determine the thermal oil storage requirements and tank selection.
• Determine the cooling tower design requirements and detail the cooling system design.
• Assist in evaluating the feasibility of utilizing on-site source and injection wells for either cooling tower make-up or for direct cooling with support from the geotechnical engineer and hydrologist and detail the design for the recommended scheme.
• Develop the overall electrical design for the generation of power from the ORC generators and tie the generators to a common 4,160 V switchgear section for power distribution to HECO. Coordinate the step-up of voltage to 13 kV or 47 kV and interconnection of the power plant to HECO via a new service interconnection.
  Provide interior power distribution to all plant equipment, including the generators and auxiliaries, pumps, and exterior power distribution to the solar collectors.
• Design the new black-start generator system, complete with switchgears, radiators, mufflers, exhaust stack, and controls to allow unit to start-up the plant in the event of a HECO outage. Provide fuel storage tank and piping to the generator to comply with current EPA requirements.

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Energy Saving Performance Contracting

Technical Assistance for Energy Efficient Buildings

VARIOUS LOCATIONS, HAWAII

InSynergy Engineering, Inc. is providing technical assistance for the State of Hawaii Department of Business Economic Development & Tourism for the Technical Assistance for Energy Efficiency Buildings Program. This program consists of multiple projects to provide technical assistance services and training related to bringing buildings to Energy Star Level and LEED standards, including the following:

• Energy assessments and analysis, training, and information.
• Assistance and training to building code officials on latest code elements and renewable energy technologies.
• Assistance to state agencies/non-profits/small businesses in assessing energy efficiency improvements.
• Assistance to the State of Hawaii for retrocommissioning of state buildings and facilities.
• Commissioning and retrocommissioning services for installation of HVAC equipment and other large mechanical systems.
• Developing a statewide system of metrics to track project spending and investment, jobs, energy savings, dollar savings, emissions reductions and other metrics; and maintaining and providing updates to the system.
• Providing assistance to building owners and managers to determine performance outcomes for buildings and facilities for efficiency and renewable improvements.
• Technical assistance using selected new technologies for efficiency and renewable energy.

We have completed or are currently providing services for the following task orders:

• Administrative support for Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC), Department of Accounting and General Services Buildings, Statewide.  Providing mechanical and electrical engineering services support to implement Energy Services Performance Contract for 33 facilities statewide.
• Public Safety Energy Savings Performance Contracts, Statewide.  Mechanical and electrical engineering work to provide technical support for the development and project management of Energy Savings Performance Contracts for the Department of Public Safety Facilities.  Phase I includes evaluating two facilities and Phase II includes four correctional centers.
• Engineering Support for DAGS to Implement ESPC, Phase II, Statewide.  We are conducting site visits to 31 buildings statewide to assess the feasibility of Energy Conservation Measures that could be implemented, and providing technical support during the review of the Technical Energy Assessment documents and in the review and evaluation of the Investment Grade Audit report.
• Engineering Support for the Department of Transportation – Airports Division, Statewide.  Providing the mechanical and electrical engineering support to implement a statewide ESPC for buildings in the Honolulu International Airport, Kahului Airport, Kapalua Airport, Hilo Airport, Kona Airport, Lihue Airport, and Hoolehua Airport.  We are providing technical support during the Invitation for Proposals (IFP) solicitation process and during the review and evaluation of the Technical Energy Assessment (TEA) documents submitted in response to the IFP solicitation process.

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Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning System

HONOLULU, HAWAII

The new central cooling station for the Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning (HSWAC) System is designed to provide up to 25,000 tons of cooling for the downtown Honolulu district utilizing deep ocean sea water as the primary source of cooling. The central cooling station will consist of a single story concrete reinforced building with an underground pump vault. The cooling station will house the primary seawater pumps, heat exchangers, distribution chilled water pumps, supplemental chillers and ancillary pumps, electrical substation and switchgear, emergency generators, and all other supporting systems to provide chilled water to the downtown Honolulu district. The building will also be designed to support a 6 level parking structure that will be built over the cooling station under a future phase of the redevelopment of the parcel.

Cold 45 degree F seawater will be drawn from a deep seawater intake located approximately 4 miles off-shore.

The pipeline will terminate in an underground vault located in the basement of the new cooling station. The seawater will be drawn from the intake by three large seawater pump, of which one will be redundant, located in the vault and will be pumped through plate heat exchangers and returned to the ocean via a discharge.

The chilled water that is indirectly cooled by the cold seawater via the plate heat exchangers will be cooled down to a temperature of approximately 46 degrees F. In order to maintain proper cooling and dehumidification for the buildings that will be connected to the chilled water distribution system, supplemental centrifugal chillers will cool the chilled water down to 43.5 degrees F. The 43.5 degree chilled water generated at the central cooling station will be circulated via a closed loop chilled water distribution system to the various buildings that will be connected in the downtown service area.

Each building will be provided with a service connection where secondary building pumps will be used to circulate the chilled water from the loop to the air handling units that cool the building. The heat that is extracted from each building will warm the water in the chilled water return pipe to approximately 54 degrees F. This warmer return chilled water will be returned to the central station plant and re-cooled using the cold seawater heat exchangers and supplemental chillers before being re-circulated back through the district cooling system chilled water supply pipes.

The central cooling station is currently being designed with InSynergy Engineering, Inc. as the prime consultant responsible for the overall coordination of the design. We are also responsible for the detailed MEP/FP design for the central station building, including the central seawater/chilled water cooling system, coordination for exterior electrical utilities for power, telephone, and data, interior power, lighting, and telecom data distribution, and building plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning, fire sprinkler protection, and fire alarm system.

Our scope of work also included evaluating alternatives and design schemes for the central station plant. We also evaluated various options for the layout, operating parameters, and process flow diagram for the chiller plant which will be designed to provide a maximum of approximately 30% of the total system cooling load that will be between 20,000 to 25,000 tons.

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