Puerto Rico partners with US departments on grid modernisation and renewables
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has partnered with the US Departments of Energy and Homeland Security and Urban Development to implement grid modernisation initiatives.
The initiatives are aimed at strengthening grid resilience and preparing the energy system for next-generation business models.
The partnership will kickstart with the implementation of the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transition to 100% Renewable Energy (PR100) study, a roadmap Puerto Rico will follow to achieve a target of 100% renewable energy capacity on the grid by 2050 and to ensure improved access to affordable, reliable and clean electricity for residents.
The PR100 study will use funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and partners to:
- Engage stakeholders and assess climate risks through the lens of energy justice
- Assess the full potential of renewable energy
- Model clean energy scenarios
- Analyse system reliability, resilience, and economic impact
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Other project partners in the implementation of the PR100 study include DoE national laboratories: Argonne, Lawrence Berkeley, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Sandia.
The study will leverage the Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study, which assessed various options Los Angeles can implement to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2045 or even 2035 in a cost-effective manner whilst ensuring energy security, sustainability and economic stability.
As part of the grid modernisation projects, Puerto Rico will sign contracts for the deployment of 3,750MW of renewables and 1,500MW of energy storage capacity, enough clean capacity to power over 1 million households.
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Up to $12 billion in funding from the US federal government will be used to modernise the grid and ensure concrete results are visible in 2022, according to the statement. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and LUMA Energy have already started the rollout of 138 projects that include repairing and modernising substations and streetlights.
Up to $1.9 billion in grant funding will be used to install microgrids to ensure energy reliability for low-and-moderate-income households.
PNNL is also developing a hurricane warning forecasting and warning system that will be used to protect residents and the electricity network against harsh weather.
Jennifer M.Granholm, the US Secretary of Energy, said: “Today’s commitments and the launch of the PR100 Study show that 2022 will be a year of action to modernise Puerto Rico’s grid and increase energy resilience as we accelerate our work with Puerto Rico to execute data-driven, community-tailored pathways towards 100% clean electricity. DOE is proud to partner with Governor Pierluisi to help deliver a more reliable grid, good-paying jobs, lower utility bills, and healthier air to the more than 3 million American citizens living in Puerto Rico.”
