Enel North America and Eaton have announced the successful completion of Puerto Rico's largest clean energy microgrid, situated at Eaton's circuit breaker manufacturing facility in Arecibo. This groundbreaking system integrates a 5-megawatt solar array with a 1.1 MW battery and onsite generators, aiming to significantly diminish the facility's carbon footprint while fortifying energy resilience within the community.

By generating and storing clean energy independently of the conventional power grid, the microgrid not only bolsters the facility's sustainability efforts but also provides critical energy resilience, especially in regions like Puerto Rico with vulnerable electrical infrastructure. With the system set to produce nearly 10 GWh of renewable energy annually, it's projected to mitigate around 7,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, alongside reducing costs by nearly 20%.

Matt Barnes, head of distributed energy solutions at Enel North America, emphasized the urgency of deploying microgrids amidst escalating climate change impacts, stating that Enel is committed to delivering clean and flexible systems crucial for the energy transition. Mike Yelton, president of Eaton's Americas Region, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the pivotal role microgrids play in fostering a robust energy infrastructure prepared to tackle climate change consequences.

Furthermore, the microgrid's design, capable of withstanding Category 5 hurricane-force winds, not only ensures reliability during extreme weather events but also offers added value during regular grid-connected operations by alleviating stress on the island's utility infrastructure. Enel and Eaton are already initiating the construction of a second microgrid at Eaton's Las Piedras manufacturing facility, further enhancing energy resilience across Puerto Rico.

Enel North America spearheaded the development of the system under an energy-as-a-service model, transitioning Eaton's investment in the microgrid from capital to operational expense. Eaton contributed installation expertise and crucial technologies, including its Power Xpert microgrid solutions and leading power distribution equipment, underscoring the collaborative effort towards sustainable energy solutions.

Source: enelnorthamerica.com