Benthic Habitat Considerations for an Offshore Wind Farm Site Selection in Puerto Rico

Published in: Engineering Innovations for Global Sustainability: Proceedings of the 14th Latin American and Caribbean Conference for Engineering and Technology
Date of Conference: July 20-22, 2016
Location of Conference: San Jose, Costa Rica
Authors: Héctor M. Rodríguez
Nelson R. Gómez-Torres
Ricardo I. Morales
Refereed Paper: #259

Abstract:

The high cost of energy in Puerto Rico due to its dependence on fossil fuels has become a direct burden on individuals and a critical barrier on economic development in the Island. Minimizing the dependence on fossil fuels will not only alleviate the fluctuation in energy costs but will also reduce the negative impact to environmental pollution and greenhouse effects. To that end, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) is actively seeking alternatives to increase its renewable energy portfolio. Previous researchers have already studied renewable energy alternatives and recognized that wind energy could provide a significant amount of electric power to the Island. In particular, a wind energy study developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory showed that the greatest potential for wind power extraction in Puerto Rico resides in the offshore region. Due to the complexity of offshore wind energy projects, multiple factors need to be considered in the site selection. This article addresses the impact to the existing benthic habitat in the eastern offshore region in the site selection for an offshore wind farm in Puerto Rico. The approach takes advantage of an existing benthic habitat map to identify potential wind farm locations that would avoid to impact protected benthos in the region. As shown in the results, there are several locations in the eastern offshore region that could be used as a site for a wind farm with minimum impact to protected benthos.