Two companies are at work on the Caribbean island, struck by two hurricanes and left without power ever since. Renewables and storage bring energy back to Puerto Rico.
Only a few weeks have passed since Irma and Maria devastated the Caribbean island. The two hurricanes struck Puerto Rico in succession, just days apart, leaving considerable damage in their wake. Among the consequences is the lack of electricity, which could persist for months to come. For this reason, at least two major companies have mobilised to bring aid to the island: German firm Sonnen and American company Tesla.
To address the initiative, the German company announced the launch of the "Puerto Rico Energy Security" initiative, to provide support in the areas worst affected. It will supply its own storage units and connect them directly to solar panels to immediately begin generating electricity, with the help of its own technicians and engineers. Sonnen's management is in direct contact with local electricity distributor Pura Energia and will work with them to identify the locations where the units are to be installed.
"Our storage system is ideal for deployment during the emergency in Puerto Rico, as it is a fully integrated system and can form a microgrid without the need for an initial connection to the grid," said Blake Richetta, Vice President and head of the US Business Unit at Sonnen, in a press release. The German company therefore intends to prioritise emergency rooms that, for example, need electricity to refrigerate medicines, as well as the various relief centres spread across the island. It also says it is interested in collaborating with a company that will filter and purify water.
The company founded by Elon Musk quickly responded to the island's call for help. Hundreds of Powerwalls have already been sent to the island. These are the batteries developed by Tesla for storing electricity generated from renewable sources, already well known for their installations on the Hawaiian islands, for example. Ricardo Rossello, the island's governor, personally thanked Tesla for its help with a tweet. Tesla had also helped Model S and Model X owners in Florida: shortly before Maria's arrival, it had rolled out a temporary upgrade that allowed owners to increase battery range and, consequently, the driving range of their electric cars. In short, even in the face of a clear emergency such as the passing of two hurricanes, renewables and the technologies associated with them have proven equal to the situation.
The promise has been kept. The El Nino children's hospital in San Juan has electricity again. Where previously the only available source was a diesel generator, the wards are now up and running again thanks to a solar power system and a Tesla battery pack. An installation completed in record time that has made it possible to supply the healthcare facility with renewable energy. During the day the panels generate electricity, while the batteries store a portion of it for use at night, when the sun is not shining. Electricity is returning to Puerto Rico too, thanks to renewables.
