The U.S. Division of Vitality (DOE) and the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) as we speak launched a one-year progress report for the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transition to 100% Renewable (PR100) Research. PR100, which launched in February 2022 with funding from FEMA, is a two-year research designed to assist inform infrastructure investments that may present Puerto Rico with clear, dependable, and inexpensive energy.
The research goals to generate community-driven pathways to fulfill Puerto Rico’s goal of 100% renewable electrical energy by 2050 and bettering the resilience of the ability system towards future excessive climate occasions. The Biden-Harris Administration stays dedicated to serving to states and territories attain their clear energy targets to maneuver the nation nearer to attaining President Biden’s 2050 objective of a net-zero carbon economic system.
“DOE is supporting Puerto Rico in executing grid enhancements that may ship a greater vitality system that enhances reliability and financial savings for its residents,” mentioned U.S. Secretary of Vitality Jennifer M. Granholm. “For much too lengthy, Puerto Ricans have lived with an outdated and costly electrical system the place useless obstacles and lengthy delays have prevented vital enhancements. We all know that entry to renewable vitality can assist save lives and I’m happy with the DOE and FEMA groups which are working tirelessly to assist put Puerto Rico on a path to a extra resilient and dependable vitality future.”
Nationwide Institute of Requirements and Know-how Hurricane Maria harm in Puerto Rico Go to Creator: Yuisa Rios, Credit score: Yuisa Rios, Copyright: Public area
“FEMA’s funding within the PR100 research reiterates our shared dedication to constructing resilient infrastructure and creating clear vitality options for Puerto Ricans that may have long-lasting advantages to communities and generations to return, mentioned FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Due to the partnership the Division of Vitality has with FEMA, we have been capable of consider and assist fund the event of unpolluted vitality options for the reconstruction of the ability grid to assist Puerto Rico meet its renewable vitality targets. This research is one in all a number of methods that FEMA is collaborating with Puerto Rico on to help the restoration of the vitality grid by means of equitable, sustainable and resilient options.”
Since its launch, the PR100 crew outlined 4 potential eventualities by means of which Puerto Rico can meet its renewable vitality targets. The crew developed the eventualities following intensive engagement with various stakeholders, who expressed curiosity in learning totally different ranges and purposes of distributed vitality useful resource deployment, comparable to rooftop photo voltaic and batteries. Within the final six months, the undertaking crew carried out preliminary modeling and evaluation of the feasibility and tradeoffs of every situation.
Preliminary findings of the primary yr of research analysis and stakeholder enter embrace:
- Renewable vitality potential in Puerto Rico considerably exceeds complete vitality demand now and thru 2050.
- Distributed vitality assets and various system configurations (e.g., group photo voltaic, agrovoltaics) might guarantee Puerto Rico meets its renewable vitality targets whereas preserving agricultural land and guarded areas.
- Important further era capability is required instantly to enhance reliability.
- Smaller renewable assets unfold throughout the ability system might recuperate quicker from disruptive occasions than the present system, which consists of fewer and bigger energy crops.
- Prioritizing stakeholder enter and interagency coordination is essential to beat previous challenges.
As dozens of latest vitality restoration initiatives transfer in direction of building, the PR100 research helps DOE leverage the world-class experience and superior modeling capabilities of its Nationwide Labs to make sure that funded vitality restoration actions align with Puerto Rico vitality coverage and resilience wants, are coordinated throughout sectors, and align with business finest practices. Led by DOE’s Nationwide Renewable Vitality Laboratory (NREL), the research connects native decisionmakers and communities with instruments, coaching, and analytical help to allow planning and operation of the Commonwealth’s energy grid with better resilience towards disruption because it strikes towards its 100% renewable vitality objective.
The 2-year PR100 Research depends on intensive enter to make sure that the undertaking 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 approach, PR100 will mirror and reply to a breadth of stakeholder views and priorities and can help progress towards vitality justice for all Puerto Ricans.
DOE’s Dedication to Puerto Rico’s Rebuild & Restoration Effort
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 Vitality Fee (now the Puerto Rico Vitality Bureau), to work throughout the federal and native governments to establish and overcome impediments to fast 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 boost collaboration between the businesses.
Starting in 2023, Secretary Granholm will take part in a highway tour of Puerto Rico to hear and study concerning the points impacting the island’s grid resilience and restoration from communities by means of private engagements, townhalls, and listening periods. Throughout the occasions, DOE will search to establish methods to deal with current short-term hurdles that may assist allow precedence and pressing initiatives to interrupt floor forward of the following hurricane season.
An info webinar can be held on the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transition to 100% Renewable Vitality (PR100) research on January 23, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. AST (11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. EST) for an replace on progress made through the first yr of this two-year, stakeholder-informed research.
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Article courtesy of Vitality.Gov
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