Project
Responsible Farming Control System
Client
Mahi Pono
Location
Kahului, HI
Project Overview
Mahi Pono, a farming company with 41,000 acres in Maui, Hawaii, aimed to enhance its industrial farming operations by upgrading its water and energy monitoring and control systems. This project focused on addressing the inefficiencies of an aging Microwave Data Systems (MDS) radio system and outdated SCADA infrastructure. Layline Automation was crucial in integrating advanced monitoring and control solutions to improve system operations, data collection, security, and historical data management.
Layline's Role
Layline Automation was instrumental in modernizing Mahi Pono's SCADA system by implementing an advanced Ignition SCADA platform and replacing outdated servers. We also installed a high-capacity Ubiquiti radio network to ensure reliable, high-speed communication across the farm. Additionally, Layline integrated various sensors and control hardware, including Opto 22’s groov RIO technology for water management and groov EPIC hardware for energy distribution, enhancing overall operational efficiency and security.
Challenges
Mahi Pono faced multiple challenges in modernizing its infrastructure. Integrating new technology with existing systems required careful planning and testing to ensure compatibility. Customizing the solution to meet specific operational needs demanded specialized technical expertise. Establishing robust communication networks for telemetry data in remote areas was difficult. Training staff to use the new systems and ensuring long-term maintenance and support were essential for sustaining operations and efficiency.
Solution
Layline Automation addressed these challenges by upgrading Mahi Pono's SCADA system to the Ignition platform, enhancing system performance and data management capabilities. We installed a Ubiquiti radio network to overcome connectivity limitations, enabling real-time data transfer and remote monitoring. Layline also integrated sensors and control hardware using Opto 22’s technologies to improve water and energy management. Additionally, we implemented a new security system to elevate operational safety. These solutions ensured Mahi Pono's infrastructure could adapt and expand with evolving needs, maintaining technological advancement in agricultural operations.
