Microgrid-Scale Photovoltaics Plus Energy Storage System for Peak and Emergency Uses for Lajas, Puerto Rico

The residents of Puerto Rico rely on a centralized electrical grid that runs throughout the entire island. A central system is generally more convenient for utility companies in terms of general oversight of the system but it usually is not the most resilient or sustainable. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, the entire electrical grid experienced an outage. Some residents may have had their own generators, but they may not always be accessible or practical if there are fuel shortages. I am proposing to supplement the central grid with a utility-scale renewable energy fueled microgrid system. The focus of the proposal is in the municipality of Lajas, Puerto Rico in order to keep the scale of the project feasible. The microgrid would utilize solar photovoltaic energy and would discharge electricity during peak energy use hours and after extreme weather events such as hurricanes. Electrical outages can occur from an abundance of stress being put on the central system during daily peak energy use hours or during the hottest months of the year. The solar photovoltaic-fueled microgrid would discharge electricity during these outages in order to maintain the level of electrical service needed to maintain the quality of life the Puerto Rico residents expect. The design of the theoretical microgrid for Lajas considers the municipality’s population size, average residential energy use, and income data. These factors will determine the size of the microgrid needed to fit their energy needs as well as determining the economic feasibility of this proposal. A policy statement and justification is the final outcome of this research.