State-of-the-Art Green Housing Project Makes Debut in St Thomas
A state-of-the-art green housing project has officially debuted in St Thomas.
The new Magens Junction II held its ribbon cutting ceremony this week, marking the launch of a significant new green affordable housing project on the island.
The nine-story, hurricane-hardened building has a total of 30 one-bedroom/one-bathroom units and 30 two-bedroom-two bath units, along with a ground-floor fitness center, a community room and library.
It’s the second Magens Junction project, following the existing Magens Junction 1, which opened in 2018 and is at full capacity.
Both are powered by E-finity.
The project is notably energy independent, with a microgrid that uses high-efficiency, low-emission micro turbines, solar panels and battery storage, all provided by E-finity.
“To power all of this and also phase one, is an energy plant with solar panels on the roof (and soon to be installed additional ground mounted panels), battery storage racking system, seven propane powered micro turbines and a diesel backup generator,” said Jackson Development Company’s Clifford Graham. “In addition, all of the hot water for the buildings will be generate from heat recovered from the micro turbines which will eliminate the need of electric water heaters within the units. Thanks to Jeff Beiter from E-Finity, our power partner, for your outstanding energy knowledge and for helping us to be leader in the energy sector.”
The building was financed through federal housing tax credits.
“The energy revolution in the Virgin Islands is real. We are getting off the grid, and in the coming months we’ll be announcing all kinds of new projects to help you get off the grid, too,” said US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. “Energy independence for each individual has to be part of our future in this here Virgin Islands without a doubt.”
— CJ
