The U.S. Division of Power (DOE) and the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) have launched a one-year progress report for the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transition to 100% Renewable (PR100) Examine. PR100, which launched in February 2022 with funding from FEMA, is a two-year examine designed to assist inform infrastructure investments that may present Puerto Rico with clear, dependable and reasonably priced energy. The examine goals to generate community-driven pathways to fulfill Puerto Rico’s goal of 100% renewable electrical energy by 2050 and enhancing the resilience of the ability system towards future excessive climate occasions.
“DOE is supporting Puerto Rico in executing grid enhancements that may ship a greater power system that enhances reliability and financial savings for its residents,” says U.S. Secretary of Power Jennifer M. Granholm. “For much too lengthy, Puerto Ricans have lived with an outdated and costly electrical system the place unnecessary obstacles and lengthy delays have prevented crucial enhancements. We all know that entry to renewable power can assist save lives and I’m happy with the DOE and FEMA groups which might be working tirelessly to assist put Puerto Rico on a path to a extra resilient and dependable power future.”
Since its launch, the PR100 crew outlined 4 potential situations by which Puerto Rico can meet its renewable power targets. The crew developed the situations following intensive engagement with numerous stakeholders, who expressed curiosity in finding out totally different ranges and purposes of distributed power useful resource deployment, reminiscent of rooftop photo voltaic and batteries. Within the final six months, the mission crew carried out preliminary modeling and evaluation of the feasibility and tradeoffs of every state of affairs.
“FEMA’s funding within the PR100 examine reiterates our shared dedication to constructing resilient infrastructure and creating clear power options for Puerto Ricans that may have long-lasting advantages to communities and generations to come back,” feedback FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Because of the partnership the Division of Power has with FEMA, we have been capable of consider and assist fund the event of fresh power alternate options for the reconstruction of the ability grid to assist Puerto Rico meet its renewable power targets. This examine is one in all a number of methods that FEMA is collaborating with Puerto Rico on to help the restoration of the power grid by equitable, sustainable and resilient options.”
Preliminary findings of the primary 12 months of examine analysis and stakeholder enter reveals renewable power potential in Puerto Rico considerably exceeds whole power demand now and thru 2050. As well as, distributed power assets and different system configurations (e.g., group photo voltaic, agrovoltaics) may guarantee Puerto Rico meets its renewable power targets whereas preserving agricultural land and guarded areas. Vital extra technology capability is required instantly to enhance reliability.
Smaller renewable assets unfold throughout the ability system may get well quicker from disruptive occasions than the present system, which consists of fewer and bigger energy vegetation. Prioritizing stakeholder enter and interagency coordination is essential to beat previous challenges.
As dozens of recent power restoration initiatives transfer in the direction of building, the PR100 examine helps DOE leverage the world-class experience and superior modeling capabilities of its Nationwide Labs to make sure that funded power restoration actions align with Puerto Rico power coverage and resilience wants, are coordinated throughout sectors, and align with business finest practices. Led by DOE’s Nationwide Renewable Power Laboratory (NREL), the examine connects native decisionmakers and communities with instruments, coaching, and analytical help to allow planning and operation of the Commonwealth’s energy grid with larger resilience towards disruption because it strikes towards its 100% renewable power purpose.
The 2-year PR100 Examine depends on intensive enter to make sure that the mission crew is offering efficient and related technical help. DOE has convened an advisory group of practically 100 people from 60 organizations representing the general public, non-public, and nonprofit sectors. On this means, PR100 will replicate and reply to a breadth of stakeholder views and priorities and can help progress towards power justice for all Puerto Ricans.
In October 2022, following devastating Hurricane Fiona, President Biden introduced the Puerto Rico Grid Restoration and Modernization Workforce, led by Agustín Carbó, the previous Chairman of the Puerto Rico Power Fee (now the Puerto Rico Power Bureau), to work throughout the federal and native governments to establish and overcome impediments to speedy infrastructure deployment. These efforts are an outgrowth of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in February 2022 by DOE, the Departments of Homeland Safety, FEMA, HUD, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to reinforce collaboration between the companies.
Starting in 2023, Secretary Granholm will take part in a street tour of Puerto Rico to hear and study concerning the points impacting the island’s grid resilience and restoration from communities by private engagements, townhalls, and listening periods. Throughout the occasions, DOE will search to establish methods to handle current short-term hurdles that may assist allow precedence and pressing initiatives to interrupt floor forward of the subsequent hurricane season.
