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The Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña, in partnership with Green Power Technologies Puerto Rico, has been honored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as one of the 10 recipients of the second phase of the Solutions for Lasting, Viable Energy Infrastructure Technologies (SOLVE IT) contest.
This accolade comes with a financial grant of $150,000, which will be allocated for the advancement of hydroelectric microgrid initiatives aimed at rural areas in Puerto Rico.
The goal of the SOLVE IT award is to empower communities to recognize and adopt clean energy alternatives tailored to their unique requirements. In the second phase, the Puerto Rico Hydro Microgrid Partners collaborated with community leaders and strategic allies to frame an inventive strategy targeting enhanced energy resilience among low-income rural populations.
The proposal put forth by the team emphasizes the deployment of modular hydroelectric microgrids that broaden the range of accessible energy resources, thereby guaranteeing a dependable supply even during crises.
“Hydroelectric energy has played an essential and historical role in Puerto Rico, being the primary source of electricity, particularly in mountainous areas,” stated Sam Talman, director of energy services at Green Power Technologies Puerto Rico. “Leveraging our ground-breaking distributed and scalable turbine technologies, alongside the support from the DOE, we can further utilize Puerto Rico’s natural resources to provide our communities with resilient, cost-effective, and clean energy.”
“These microgrids will not only lower electricity expenses but will also stimulate economic growth within the communities that benefit from this initiative,” Talman continued. “This model can serve as an example for other parts of Puerto Rico and the United States. We take pride in being part of the ongoing legacy of hydroelectric power in Puerto Rico.”
Ana María Ruiz Montero, manager of the Renewable Energy Program at Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña, mentioned that the SOLVE IT award “marks a major step forward for energy resilience in our rural areas.”
“We are excited to illustrate how hydroelectric energy, combined with community engagement, can provide tangible solutions that enhance quality of life, bolster energy independence, and promote economic growth in the most vulnerable segments of Puerto Rico,” she noted.
The Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña and Green Power Technologies Puerto Rico will now progress to Phase 3 of the SOLVE IT award, where they’ll formulate comprehensive plans and establish strategic partnerships to bring the project to fruition. In this subsequent phase, the team will vie for one of the $500,000 prizes, set to be awarded in July of this year.
The recognition in Phase 2, Ruiz Montero emphasized, underscores the Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña’s dedication to spearheading the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape, fostering energy self-sufficiency and economic advancement in underserved areas.
