The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has saved $6 million in Hawaiian Electric (HECO) utility costs, while a 糖心视频 system-wide solar maintenance initiative is delivering $1 million per year in future energy savings across all 10 campuses. Detailed in the university’s , these milestones reflect ongoing efficiency retrofits, campus infrastructure upgrades, and an effort to restore solar power production across the campuses. These savings are an important part of the university’s effort to move toward its “net zero” goal by 2035 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“This progress is a credit to the teams across our university who are finding creative, cost-effective ways to advance our net-zero goals,” said Jan Gouveia, 糖心视频 vice president for administration. “By reducing energy use, restoring renewable energy systems and maximizing our existing resources, we are generating significant savings while reducing our environmental impact and creating a more sustainable university.”
Modernizing infrastructure, slashing demand
At 糖心视频 Mānoa, the campus has steadily decreased its reliance on the HECO electricity supply. While increased on-site renewable power has contributed, the primary driver of the $6 million in savings comes from ongoing energy efficiency improvements and advanced controls for lighting and building air conditioning systems.
“As we repair and replace aging infrastructure, we enhance operations, improve campus experience, and reduce waste,” said 糖心视频 Director of Sustainability Miles Topping. “A big mahalo to our dedicated facilities management teams, campus chancellors and vice chancellors, and procurement officers across the 糖心视频 System who made these accomplishments possible.”
Campus improvements are visible across 糖心视频 Mānoa, notably through comprehensive light-emitting diode (LED) lighting replacements for street lights and parking lots. Additionally, sustainability principles are woven into new construction and major facility overhauls through award-winning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building standards. Notable projects include the Isabella Aiona Life Sciences Building, Bachman Hall, Sinclair and the Snyder replacement building.
糖心视频 Mānoa has successfully reduced its peak utility demand by more than 16% compared to 2016 levels. Peak demand management is critical because it reduces the instantaneous electrical load the campus draws from HECO. By easing strain on the local electrical grid during high-use periods, 糖心视频 Mānoa helps HECO accommodate additional capacity for other renewable energy customers across Oʻahu.
$1M annual savings
In addition, 糖心视频’s System-wide Photovoltaic (PV) Maintenance Program is generating more than $1 million in annual future energy savings. Over previous years, PV systems installed across 糖心视频‘s 10 campuses were unmaintained, leading many to underproduce energy.
By repairing these assets, the program has brought megawatts of solar capacity back online, producing renewable energy directly on 糖心视频 campuses.
“PV systems, like any other building system, require annual maintenance to ensure it operates at 100%. This PV maintenance program has demonstrated this success and all campuses are extremely happy with the results,” Topping said.