Building Industry Magazine - June 2012 - (Page 7)

Southeast Maui to Get Wind Power Sempra U.S. Gas & Power held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 27 to commemorate the start of construction of its 21-megawatt (MW) Auwahi Wind project, located on Ulupalakua Ranch on the southeast coast of Maui. When Wisconsin-based general contractor RMT, Inc. completes the project later this year, the wind farm is expected to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 10,000 typical Maui homes. Besides the eight turbines planned for the wind farm, another important component of the project is a 10-MW battery unit capable of storing up to 4.4 MW-hours of power generated by wind turbines during the windy morning and night hours. This stored power will help regulate and smooth intermittent wind power, providing a valuable source of grid stability to Maui Electric Co., to whom the energy has been sold under a 20-year contract. Land lease revenues generated by the project will allow the 18,000-acre Ulupalakua Ranch to maintain its rural and agricultural character for future generations. Sumner Erdman, president of Ulupalakua Ranch, says its partnership with Sempra allows his family to balance its love for the land and its need to thrive economically. “We love open space and we love agriculture,” says Erdman. “This allows us to keep that intact.” “We recognize our responsibility to develop Auwahi Wind in a way that is respectful of the environment,” adds John Sowers, vice president of operations at Sempra. “We’re committed to taking the right steps to ensure this is a project Maui can be proud of and we are thrilled to be joined by the local community today to celebrate this major project milestone.” Above: Kahu Dane Maxwell (far right) leads the Hawaiian blessing on April 27, with ceremony participants that included business and political leaders. Below: Auwahi Wind is under construction on the lower slopes of wind-rich Ulupalakua Ranch, on the southeast coast of Maui. JUNE 2012 | BUILDING INDUSTRY | 7 http://www.thefloorstorehawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - June 2012

Cover June 2012, Drilling for the first column
HLPA RESOURCE GUIDE
INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE
FINANCE & BONDING
HEALTH & SAFETY
GUAM
News Beat
BIA Gala Honors Renaissance Winners
Southeast Maui to Get Wind Power
LCC Breaks Ground for Education Building
REHAB Completes First Phase of Rebuild Campaign
GCA Salutes Build Hawaii Winners
Vitus Group Completes $3.1 Million Renovation
HSA Celebrates Milestone Year
Departments
Datebook
Contracts Awarded
Spotlight on Success: Pearl Harbor Fitness Center
Best Practices
Low Bids
Concept to Completion: Hilton Hawaiian Village Renovations
New Products

Building Industry Magazine - June 2012