Puerto Rico’s electric grid would be divided into eight minigrids that could run independently of one another in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster. The minigrids would each have solar panels, battery storage and some natural gas and could contain separate microgrids. Fully independent microgrids would power more isolated areas of the island, under a draft integrated resource plan, submitted Feb. 12 by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.
The 20-year plan calls for about $5.6 billion in capital investments, mainly for up to 1,200 MW of solar power and 1,100 MW of battery storage, much of it within the first four years of the plan. Additionally, about 18 23MW small natural gas plants would be installed throughout the island to provide power in the event of another catastrophic hit to the electric grid, such as 2016’s Hurricane Maria that left the island without electricity.