Looking to conserve fuel costs and boost energy reliability, the U.S. Air Force has awarded a contract to build a renewable energy microgrid on its Wake Island base in the North Pacific Ocean.
Project partner Hannah Solar Government Services (HSGS) will design, engineer, and construct the microgrid, which includes a 740 kW DC ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system and a battery energy storage system.
Funding is provided by the Department of Defense (DoD) Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP). ECIP focuses on energy cost savings and energy resiliency projects at DoD installations.
Located to the west of the international date line in the North Pacific Ocean. the island makes up less than three square miles of land and is most known for its role in World War II. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Wake Island was attacked by the Japanese Empire in what is known as the Battle of Wake Island.
Today the island hosts a U.S. Air Force airfield and ballistic missile defense assets. Currently, those assets are powered by costly fuel that is shipped in from across the Pacific. For years the US Air Force has sought out renewable energy to save money on its consumption. But, on Wake Island, saving money isn’t the only objective.
“This is what we mean by ‘energy security,'” said Dave McNeil, CEO of HSGS. “With on-site energy generation and energy storage, the Air Force can power its critical facilities without relying on a shipment of fuel.”
“The Air Force can power its critical facilities without relying on a shipment of fuel.”
HSGS will begin the construction of renewable energy microgrid in 2018.
A veteran-owned business, HSGS specializes in the design, installation, and maintenance of solar PV energy systems and microgrids.
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