General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: With the destroyed power grid on the island of Puerto Rico... [View all]KY_EnviroGuy
(14,494 posts)The grid is what gets the power from point-to-point, starting at the source or sources. You did stir my thinking, though. Don't know if it would be feasible, but wind would be a potential primary source and solar as secondary, then maybe gas-fired turbines third. Wind farms require locations with lots of steady wind and suitable sea floor.
There probably is not enough spare usable land in PR to depend entirely on solar - which requires tremendous acreage. That would also require massive energy storage facilities to buffer the system at night.
So, the most viable and efficient system must be designed based on many factors including industrial demand and folk's ability to pay. I would guess PR will do well just to get its basic distribution infrastructure rebuilt based on traditional generation, then see what private investments or government funds are available for a better future.
For emergencies, there are barge-mounted generating units made that can create quite large amounts of power, and I believe they are usually oil or natural gas fired. They've been deployed to storm-ravaged areas before but I don't know about availability.
If anyone deserves low-cost energy generation, it's Puerto Rico, right now. Unfortunately, it cannot be done quickly.