Sustainability Engineering at Shoals Marine Lab

Main Project Details

Unitil and Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) have enjoyed a unique relationship through the design and maintenance of the Lab’s microgrid on Appledore Island during the last 20 years. Isolated from the mainland, the grid on Appledore already utilizes many of the tools often discussed as part of a potential future of electric infrastructure, including the full integration of renewable fuel sources, active energy storage solution for off-hour use and the widespread adoption of energy efficiency measures. As Unitil continues to explore what the future of renewable energy looks like, the system at SML offers a tremendous learning opportunity—both for the engineering interns that reside on site in the summer and for Unitil engineers themselves. Likewise, the groundbreaking SML microgrid itself is a story worth sharing, as the real-world solutions found on the island to meet the SML’s needs may pave the way towards a smarter energy future for us all.

Beginning in the offseason, Unitil Engineers work with officials at Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) to review potential opportunities that would offer mutual learning opportunities for the upcoming summer. Unitil engineers serve as mentors to the SML Sustainable Engineering Interns made possible by Unitil’s support while a communications-specialized intern documents the work and creates program content for both Unitil and SML.