A University of Hawaii at Manoa student-designed and built interactive 3D projection-mapped model of Oahu showing layers of data for the stateʻs plan to be 100-percent renewable by 2045 is creating a national buzz.

It is called the Hawaii Advanced Visualization Environmental Nexus (HAVEN).

HAVEN was developed by a team of UH Manoa students, under the supervision of LAVA Director Jason Leigh at the Laboratory for Advanced Visualization and Applications (LAVA) at UHM.

HAVEN supports 3,000 pages of Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO)/Hawaiian Electric Industries data, employing visualization tools to clarify complex problems.

HSEO says it is developing a suite of energy system visualization tools to help decision makers and stakeholders with the energy planning process.

HAVEN was built with a grant the HSEO received from the U.S. Department of Energy. The Academy for Creative Media UH System also contributed funding.

When it was demonstrated at the 2019 NASEO Energy Policy Outlook Conference in February, Bruce J. Walker, assistant secretary, Office of Electricity, U.S. Department of Energy, tweeted: “Checking out the 3D modeling capabilities at the Hawaii Visualization Energy Nexus booth at the @NASEO_Energy Conference.

As we continue to provide technical assistance to Puerto Rico, tools like this can help determine the best types and locations of generation. #NASEOOutlook19″

HAVEN also generated interest from many other states and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Those involved in the project are:

James Hutchison-undergraduate, main developer

Nurit Kirshenbaum-PhD student, tangible computing advisor

Ryan Theriot-MS student, visualization

Kaila Foltz-undergraduate, graphic design (user interface and banner)

Kari Noe-MS student, graphic design (HAVEN logo)

Serena Kobayashi-undergraduate, physical structure

Tyson Seto-Mook-MS student, docent who did the demo in Washington D.C.