Honolulu International Airport Emergency Powerplant

Honolulu, Hawaii

• Notable Features

  • 4-25MW Emergency Generators

  • Custom Field-Erected Fuel Tanks

  • Generator Engine Exhaust System

  • Distributed Power Generation

• Best Value Design Elements

  • Automated electric power

  • Monitoring, and distribution system allows for remote dispatch by HECO

  • Multi-story building design developed to fit within the available footprint

  • Direct connection to the HECO substation allows for switching of power to feed the airport’s circuits in the event of a power outage

  • Sound attenuation silencers incorporated into the design to meet city and state noise limits.

  • Fuel system designed to use environmentally-friendly biodiesel fuel

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and the Department of Transportation Airports Division (DOTA) each faced engineering challenges. HECO needed a solution to strengthen their electrical grid during peak demand periods, while DOTA aimed to construct a consolidated facility to provide emergency power to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

As the prime consultant, InSynergy Engineering, Inc. developed engineering concept sketches for potential sites and evaluated their feasibility. Ultimately, a site near HECO’s existing electrical substation serving the airport was chosen for the construction of a multi-story emergency power generation facility. Our team provided mechanical, electrical, and fire protection design, as well as project management. This facility can supply up to 80% of the airport’s electrical demand during emergencies. In non-emergency periods, it supplements HECO’s electrical grids by providing up to 8MW of power with a single click from a remote dispatch location.

The building features four 2.5MW prime power-rated emergency generators, an intake and discharge air system, and an engine exhaust system meeting strict EPA emissions standards. Additionally, the fuel storage and delivery system includes two custom-built steel tanks capable of keeping the airport operational for at least 96 hours. Notably, the entire fuel system is designed to support biodiesel fuel. Furthermore, a sophisticated generator master control system automatically monitors power demands from over 10 electrical vaults throughout the airport, supplying emergency power based on priority demands identified by DOTA.

Maunakea Marketplace Affordable Rentals

• Notable Features

  • 25,000 Square Foot Area

  • Gathering Place

  • Fitness/Yoga Area

  • Security Gate and Elevator

  • Designed & Constructed in Partnership with Former Governor Abercrombie & Department of Community Services

• Best Value Design Elements

  • ENERGY STAR appliances

  • Water saving fixtures

  • Dedicated outside air unit with hot gas reheat

Honolulu, Hawaii

Maunakea Marketplace Affordable Rental was a 2020 renovation project located in Honolulu’s Chinatown. This project converted 25,000 square feet of storage and retail spaces to new residential apartments. The project is located on the second floor of Maunakea Marketplace above a retail center with an open marketplace and food court.

InSynergy Engineering, Inc. provided mechanical, electrical, and fire protection design work for the renovation of Maunakea Marketplace Affordable Rental. The apartment space consists of thirty-eight affordable rental units ranging from studios to two-bedrooms. There are also office spaces and common areas such as a gathering place, fitness area, and laundry room. Security gates and an elevator were added to isolate the second floor living space from the first floor retail area.

Each living unit has its own direct-expansion fan coil unit, bathroom exhaust fan, and electric water heater. The common spaces and office spaces were provided with its own cooling and exhaust systems as well. A dedicated outside air unit and air cooled condensing units were located on the roof of the building. Electrical work included lighting and providing power to the spaces. Fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems were included as part of fire protection design work.

Honolulu Zoo Learning Center

HONOLULU, HAWAII

InSynergy Engineering, Inc. provided the mechanical and electrical engineering design work for plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning, fire protection, power, and lighting.

The mechanical scope of work included the following: provided plumbing to new restroom plumbing fixtures; demolition plans for existing plumbing fixtures; air conditioning throughout the space consisting of ducted DX split air conditioning units; and ventialtion for restrooms and general areas.

The electrical scope of work included providing site electrical removal plans and new site power to the building; site lighting within the area of work and the exterior of the building; interior power distribution, lighting, data, and telecom systems; a manual fire alarm system; coordination of telecom requirements with City and County IT personnel; and on-site renewable energy to a 1,000 sf classroom space via a 6 kW solar photovoltaic system.

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Kahului Airport Electrical Power Upgrade

KAHULUI, HAWAII

InSynergy Engineering, Inc. was the Prime Consultant for a study to identify the electrical construction requirements and upgrades required to have the capability of providing 400 Hz power to the all of the loading bridges that serve parked aircraft at the Kahului Airport.

Based on the study, we provided the detailed engineering design services to upgrade the electrical power system to support the new distributed 400 Hz power supplies for the passenger loading docks. Our scope of work included removing the existing primary switchgear, replacing two existing unit substations with new, providing new electrical distribution for the distributed 400 Hz power supplies at 18 gates, designed additional electrical power to support future TSA equipment, designed new electrical room with switchgear for TSA equipment, coordinated load requirements and scheduling of other projects with Maui Electric Company, provided new SCADA system for TSA electrical equipment and tie-in to new SCADA system, provided new fire alarm devices for the TSA electrical room and interconnect to the existing fire alarm system, provided new security system for the TSA electrical room and interconnect to the existing security system, and designed new air handling units to serve the new electrical switchgear and substation room.

Total Construction Cost: $13,000,000

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Alapai Bus Transit Center

HONOLULU, HAWAII

We provided the mechanical and electrical engineering design work for the new bus transit facility at Alapai Street, consisting of a bus parking area, passenger shelters, and a bus transit building. Our scope of work included the following:

Joint Traffic Management System (JTMS):

• Coordinate site electrical requirements with the JTMC design team and provide spare ducts or infrastructure to support the JTMC building and prevent future re-work.

Alapai Transit Center:

• Plumbing for lavatories, urinal, and water closets in the restroom building.
• Remove and relocate existing utilities routed through the site and street lights as necessary.
• Coordinate site power requirements with HECO.
• Coordinate utilities with Hawaiian Telcom, HECO, and Oceanic Cable.
• Provide site lighting throughout the site.
• Provide receptacles, lighting, and power to mechanical equipment in the Bus Transit Building.
• Provide power and lighting at bus stop shelters and storage building.

Parking Structure:

• Coordinate utilities for the new parking structure.
• Coordinate site power requirement with HECO.
• Coordinate utilities with Hawaiian Telcom and Oceanic Cable.
• Coordinate infrastructure tie-in with the parking structure design team.

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Board of Water Supply Air Conditioning Renovation

Board of Water Supply Beretania Building Air Conditioning Renovation

HONOLULU, HAWAII

Phase I includes the following: conduct a load analysis to verify cooling requirements for the building; monitor the chiller plant; evaluate existing electrical loads; conduct assessment of the existing air conditioning systems to determine replacement options; select major equipment components; provide budgets for each scheme analyzed; and meet with the Board of Water Supply (BWS) to select the most feasible air conditioning scheme that will meet the BWS functional and budgetary requirements.

Phase II includes developing a modified Design Build RFP based on the scheme selected, consisting of a narrative and conceptual and schematic drawings. The Division 1 and General requirements of the RFP will also be developed.

Phase III includes assisting BWS in reviewing the DB contractor’s technical proposals; providing briefing to the selection committee based on review findings; and provide clarifications to RFI’s generated by the contractors during the pricing phase.

Phase IV of this project includes reviewing DB design documents to ensure compliance with all RFP requirements; provide clarification to RFI’s generated by the Design Builder during the construction and design phase; review value engineering proposals, shop drawings and major equipment submittals to ensure compliance with RFP requirements; and conduct site visits to observe construction during key milestones.

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Honolulu International Airport Chilled Water System

Honolulu International Airport Chilled Water System Modernization

HONOLULU, HAWAII

InSynergy Engineering is the prime consultant for the replacement and upgrade of the existing chilled water system the serves the entire 3,000,000 sf Honolulu International Airport.

The airport is currently served by three separate chilled water systems that serve the Diamond Head Wing, the Overseas Terminal, and the Ewa Wing/Interisland Terminal.

The scope of the project includes rebuilding and upsizing the three chilled water plants to 4,000 tons of capacity each to meet current and future loads for a planned 1,000,000 sf expansion of the airport. The three plants will be connected by a new 20-inch chilled water supply and return loop that will be routed in a new elevated walkway along the upper Wikiwiki bus level of the terminal.

In addition to the new chilled water loop and energy efficient water cooled chiller plants, we are also designing three (3) new 5,000 KVA substations to provide power to the new equipment, and a new Direct Digital Control (DDC) System to monitor and control the system. The new system will provide flexibility and redundancy in operation since each of the chiller plants can generate and distribute cooling through the new loop to the other areas in the airport in the event one of the plants is down for maintenance or repair, or to conserve energy during periods of minimum loads.

As part of the project, the existing Sheriff’s office was demolished and rebuilt in a new location to accommodate the new Diamond Head chiller plant.

We are also providing construction observation and construction management services during construction and assist in the new startup and commissioning of the new systems.

Total Construction Cost: $51,000,000

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