Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to develop micro-grid alternative energy concept

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) has announced a $20-million cooperative agreement to develop a micro-grid demonstration project at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

The agreement comes between the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and the Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies (HCATT). The $20 million deal is intended to strengthen energy resiliency for the 154th Wing of the Hawaii Air National Guard.

“Assured access to energy is essential to the Air Force’s mission,” Schatz said. “Without it, the Air Force could not fly its aircraft or power the flight simulators, alert facilities, and other equipment that are critical to sustaining the readiness of our airmen at installations like Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.”

Schatz said that Air Force's effort to develop a micro-grid testbed in Hawaii could also act to provide a proof of concept that alternative energy and micro-grid technologies can support the Air Force's broader energy security goals.

Putting new alternative energy methods to the test also has the support of Hawaiian Governor David Ige.

“The U.S. military has made a significant commitment to renewable energy in Hawaii, and this cooperative agreement is an acknowledgement that Hawaii is a natural testbed for the development of alternative fuels,” Ige said. “The agreement will benefit the Air Force and the state.”

Under terms of the agreement, the Air Force will develop a micro-grid demonstration project at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, with electricity provided from an existing on-base hydrogen fuel cell source and other planned renewable energy projects.