Case Study
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HNEI Kauai & O’ahu, HI Test Platform Performance Analysis
Aloha Energy Neutrality
Investigating data-driven solutions for commercially viable energy conservation
SIGNO uddenberg Technical Projects Lead Signo led the project requirements development and guided the project through design of experimentation, procurement and installation of equipment, performance measurement & monitoring, and analytic findings and performance interpretation. Results from the study were submitted and accepted for presentation to ACEEE, the preeminent international conference on energy-
HAWAII NATURAL ENERGY INSTITUTE Established in 1974, HNEI coordinates and undertakes the development of natural energy sources for Hawaii. The institute conducts energy research focused on technically sound, cost- effective solutions and practical strategies for commercially viable renewable energy implementable in Hawaii and the world at large.
CHALLENGE | Design a
Hypothesis | A data-driven,
research-based framework for
analytic framework that relates
cost-effective solutions that
actual performance data, predictive
minimize energy consumption in
energy models, and IEQ guidelines,
buildings while maintaining high
will inform an understanding of
standards of user comfort
the factors that affect building performance and the technology
Context | Hawai’i has a
improvements to optimize energy
dramatic combination of high
use
energy costs, vulnerable fossil fuel supply, and a state mandate
APPROACH | MKThink
to develop alternative, local
conducted a 2-year study to
energy sources. HNEI and its
compare the simultaneous
funding sources have identified
performance of 6 educational
Hawai’i as an ideal laboratory
classrooms. The classrooms
to study climate and cultural
represent 3 building typologies
factors and experiment with
common to Hawai’i’s 255 public
energy solutions that can be
schools. Studies were conducted at
applied locally and to the greater
3 sites in different microclimates on
Pacific region.
the islands of Kauai and O’ahu.
Hawai’i depends on fossil fuels
Architectural variables were
for 90% of its energy needs and
controlled for with a test set that
imports 100% of its crude oil.
included a) common building
Its electricity costs are 25 - 35
designs at different sites, b)
cents/kWh which is two times
neighboring buildings at the same
above the national average.
sites, and c) different building types
In 2015, Hawai’i set a target
in the same microclimates.
Renewable Portfolio Standard of 100% by 2045.
Each test building was equipped with 16 sensors to measure 11 KPIs correlated to 5 microclimate factors.
the IDEAS company for the built environment