Pacific Energy Assurance Renewables Laboratory (PEARL) Microgrid

PEARL is a renewable energy microgrid project demonstrating new ways for military facilities to address energy needs, mission assurance and cybersecurity. PEARL provides a measure of energy assurance to guard against natural disasters, cyber threats, and disruptions in power, helping to ensure continued operations for the Hawaii Air National Guard, 154th Wing. PEARL is a multiyear collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory and National Guard to expand the use of renewable energy technologies such as hydrogen, photovoltaic, and energy storage systems. PEARL also serves as a business and technical prototype for the State in achieving its 2045 renewable portfolio standard.

Capabilities
– Energy assurance & resilience for the Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 campus
– Seamless transition to island mode/grid-tied
– Locate/remote operation of switches
– Black start in island mode

PEARL Technical Specs

System Specs

– Planned peak 1MW load
– Serves both HIANG critical and non-critical loads
– 1MW/600kWH Battery
– Storage of excess solar
– Critical power support during generator start
– 1MW Diesel Generator
– Tie 2 – Emergency only
– Site planned for 3 generators
– 24HR – 100% sub-base fuel tank

Microgrid Control Systems

– Distributed RTUs
– Redundant Communication backbone
– Microprocessor based relays
– Traditional SCADA
– Inverter Control
– Solar Monitoring/Control