The New York State Smart Grid Consortium entered into a signed memorandum of understanding with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and ProsumerGrid to assist with Puerto Rico’s long term grid planning efforts.

Atlanta, Ga.-based ProsumerGrid is a clean energy startup in the Advanced Technology Development Center’s ATDC Accelerate portfolio of companies.

When  Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Puerto Rico Sept. 20, 2017, it caused severe power outages across the U.S. island territory, knocking out the entire system. Due to significant efforts by PREPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the New York Power Authority, and other cooperating entities, more than 95 percent of PREPA’s customers now have electrical service, but there were extended outages, and there still are remote areas that are without power.

While Puerto Rico is focused on completing electric service restoration, the island also is engaged in longterm planning to modernize the electric grid, increase its efficiency, meet environmental objectives, and improve reliability and resilience in the face of severe weather events. PREPA recently began a process of developing a new Integrated Resource Plan to meet those needs. The IRP will reflect the work of PREPA’s own experts, independent experts retained by PREPA, and the input of other stakeholders.

Under the MOU, the NYSSGC and ProsumerGrid are taking a key step in helping PREPA analyze a broad set of options to maximize the benefits of future critical infrastructure investments by conducting analyses that will assist PREPA’s planning staff and complement the utility’s upcoming IRP process. The NYSSGC has agreed to offer its services pro bono.

More specifically, under the MOU, the NYSSGC will use PREPA distribution and transmission system data to evaluate multiple possible scenarios incorporating a broad range of advanced technology and system redesign options. The goal is to identify preferred system design solutions to modernize the island’s electric grid and make it more reliable, resilient, and sustainable. ProsumerGrid will serve as consultant to the Consortium and will utilize the Distributed System Operator Simulation Studio software platform, designed by ProsumerGrid, in collaboration with the Consortium. This innovative simulation tool was developed through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), and provides integrated simulation capabilities for both the distribution and transmission systems with potentially large amounts of distributed energy resources and smart grid subsystems such as microgrids, aggregators, and prosumers (consumers who both produce and consume energy). 

“Redesigning and modernizing Puerto Rico’s electric system will go well beyond rebuilding the previously existing grid infrastructure or randomly adding more renewable resources,” said Jim Gallagher, NYSSGC executive director. “There are a number of complex and structural issues that must be addressed to support strategic resiliency, economic, and environmental objectives. With its track record of supporting comprehensive and innovative energy initiatives, such as New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), and with the assistance of ProsumerGrid, the Consortium is in a prime position to provide assistance to PREPA and is honored to play a key role in this vitally important effort.”