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Puerto Rico Passes 100% Renewable Energy Legislation
https://cleantechnica.com/2019/03/26/puerto-rico-passes-100-renewable-energy-legislation/Puerto Rico Passes 100% Renewable Energy Legislation
March 26th, 2019 by Steve Hanley
Hurricane Maria proved that Puerto Rico is the ideal place for 100% distributed renewable energy. The storm virtually wiped out the entire energy grid on the island, most of which was constructed 60 years ago or more. For decades, the island has depended on diesel generators for its electricity. The generating stations were almost all located in the south part of the island and the electricity was transported via antique transmission lines to the north side of the island.
All that most people know about Puerto Rico is Old San Juan and the nearby beaches, but the interior of the island is extremely rugged terrain where access to downed transmission lines is difficult under the best of circumstances. Maria toppled many of the pylons and towers that supported the transmission lines, leading to months of delay in restoring power until they could be rebuilt.
Even assuming a robust grid infrastructure, relying on diesel for electricity is absurd. Not only is it expensive to import millions of gallons of diesel fuel, the emissions from the generating plants are injurious to the health of all the people living nearby. Diesel and coal are the dirtiest fuels for making electricity. Why would people in the 21st century want to be saddled with the fallout for either one?
On March 25, the Puerto Rico Senate passed bill PS 1121, which establishes a renewable energy portfolio standard for the island. It calls for 100% renewable energy by the year 2050. The bill will now go to Governor Ricardo Rosselló for his signature. Rosselló has been a staunch supporter of renewable energy for the island and is expected to approve the new legislation shortly.
…
March 26th, 2019 by Steve Hanley
Hurricane Maria proved that Puerto Rico is the ideal place for 100% distributed renewable energy. The storm virtually wiped out the entire energy grid on the island, most of which was constructed 60 years ago or more. For decades, the island has depended on diesel generators for its electricity. The generating stations were almost all located in the south part of the island and the electricity was transported via antique transmission lines to the north side of the island.
All that most people know about Puerto Rico is Old San Juan and the nearby beaches, but the interior of the island is extremely rugged terrain where access to downed transmission lines is difficult under the best of circumstances. Maria toppled many of the pylons and towers that supported the transmission lines, leading to months of delay in restoring power until they could be rebuilt.
Even assuming a robust grid infrastructure, relying on diesel for electricity is absurd. Not only is it expensive to import millions of gallons of diesel fuel, the emissions from the generating plants are injurious to the health of all the people living nearby. Diesel and coal are the dirtiest fuels for making electricity. Why would people in the 21st century want to be saddled with the fallout for either one?
On March 25, the Puerto Rico Senate passed bill PS 1121, which establishes a renewable energy portfolio standard for the island. It calls for 100% renewable energy by the year 2050. The bill will now go to Governor Ricardo Rosselló for his signature. Rosselló has been a staunch supporter of renewable energy for the island and is expected to approve the new legislation shortly.
…