Preliminary Cost Assessment for Offshore Wind Energy in Puerto Rico

Published in: Proceedings of the 13th Latin American and Caribbean Conference for Engineering and Technology: Engineering Education Facing the Grand Challenges, What Are We Doing?
Date of Conference: July 29 - 31, 2015
Location of Conference: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Authors: Héctor M. Rodríguez
Gerardo Carbajal
Edwar Romero
Refereed Paper: #186

Abstract:

The high cost of energy in Puerto Rico (e.g., $0.27/kWh in September 2014) due to its dependence on fossil fuels (i.e., 61% of electricity production) has become a direct burden on individuals and a critical barrier on economic development in the Island. To alleviate the cost of energy and reduce environmental pollution and greenhouse effects, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) is seeking to establish over 380 MW of electrical power from wind sources as part of its renewable energy portfolio. However, contrary to a wind energy study that indicates that the greatest potential for wind power extraction in Puerto Rico resides offshore, all PREPA’s wind energy projects are onshore. This investigation considers a preliminary assessment for the use of offshore wind energy in the eastern region of Puerto Rico. A theoretical model was used to calculate the wind power and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for three typical offshore wind turbines with nominal output power of 2,300 kW, 3,000 kW, and a 3,600 kW. The results suggest that a smaller wind turbine will be more cost effective in the offshore region of Puerto Rico. As shown in the results, the LCOE could be as low as $0.20/kWh for the 2,300 kW turbine and as high as $0.36/kWh for the 3,600 kW turbine.

Keywords— energy, wind, offshore, cost, Puerto Rico.