The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has installed or is in the process of installing microgrids at several locations.
The SolaRover serves Hogar El Pequeño Joshua, a shelter for children.
At the launch of the La Perla de Gran Pecio project on Jan. 26, Tom Lewis, Louis Berger U.S. division president, pointed out the potential benefit of enhancing Puerto Rico’s existing power infrastructure with distributed microgrids. “These more modern and clean technologies are not a complete replacement for the central power grid of Puerto Rico, but they are the future of distributed power and can absolutely allow the central power grid of the future to be smaller, less costly, and more efficient,” Lewis said. La Perla de Gran Pecio Project Identifying the critical energy needs of the La Perla de Gran Pecio foundation, Louis Berger developed a pro bono microgrid project to be completed in two phases. The first phase, launched on Jan. 26, involved connecting two different types of solar-hybrid generators to two La Perla de Gran Pecio buildings. Power was temporarily restored using mobile generators from AEG and WestGen SolarRover; the compact devices are able to provide consistent power that matches the output of a 24kVA gas or diesel generator. The second phase of the project will see the microgrid expand to provide reliable power to each of the compound’s buildings, with the potential for further expansion and integration of existing diesel generators. The solar-hybrid generators are capable of operating both independently of, and in conjunction with, the central power grid and other energy sources, delivering enhanced power security and resilience against long-term power outages like those caused by natural disasters. Louis Berger and its project partners plan to demonstrate the viability of a solar-hybrid community microgrid by combining solar and fossil fuel-based energy to power several of Barrio Nuevo’s facilities. Mi- crogrid development could allow the area more flexibility in incorpo- rating renewable resources while lowering vulnerability to fluctuations in fuel prices. And if implemented more broadly, microgrids could lead to a more efficient energy infrastructure while reducing the potential for widespread outages like those that occurred post-Maria.
Forward-thinking responsibility With operations on every habitable continent, Louis Berger is one of the world’s largest engineering and infrastructure companies. Leverag- ing their experience and resources, Louis Berger has developed a sig- nificant Corporate Social Responsibility program, which is committed to serving and giving back to communities where its employees and clients live and work. In the short term, Louis Berger’s demonstration project has provided an immediate improvement in quality of life for some of Puerto Rico’s most vulnerable residents. “I was so happy to hear that when we con- nected the unit… and the lights went on in the children’s center this week, the children could be heard inside shouting with joy and excite- ment,” Lewis said. As the company is able to integrate more solar- hybrid mobile generators, the Barrio Nuevo community can expect to see a noticeable improvement in their daily life. For the long-term reconstruction of Puerto Rico’s power grid, the tech- nologies deployed in the La Perla de Gran Pecio project represent a turning point for stable, renewable energy. While Puerto Ricans have remained resilient in the face of natural disasters, an updated and in- novative power system will allow them to live more efficiently and stand stronger against the threat of hurricanes. Beyond Puerto Rico and the Hurricane Maria disaster response, there remain areas throughout the world that could suffer similar destruction to an outdated power network. By converting to a distributed system and reducing the potential impact of a natural disaster, governments and energy companies can protect their citizens and customers with a more resilient, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly solution.
Information provided by Louis Berger (www.louisberger.com).
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csengineermag.com
may 2018
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