Overview
Held on October 16th, 2024 at the Centro Comunal La Margarita in Salinas, PR, 40 public, private and community leaders convened for the Solving Resiliency Through Energy Efficiency: A DOE SolveIt Project as part of the La Margarita Energy Plan. The purpose of this session was: (1) present the La Margarita energy needs and efforts to date and (2) determine the solutions best suited to meet the energy needs, in tandem with SolveIt support.
5 KEY THEMES
1. Prioritizing Energy Efficiency as a Resilience Measure:
La Margarita’s vulnerability to flooding and power outages necessitates energy efficiency measures to enhance resilience. Solutions such as air sealing, thermal insulation, and high-efficiency appliances are critical for reducing energy consumption during emergencies.
"La eficiencia energética como medida de resiliencia reduce la carga total en la red eléctrica y ayuda a mantener la estabilidad durante apagones" - Antuan Cannon, Willdan
2. Community-Led Solar Energy and Storage Projects:
Expanding community-led initiatives such as solar energy and battery storage systems is crucial for La Margarita’s resilience. These solutions reduce dependency on the grid and ensure that even low-income households benefit from clean, resilient energy.
"Nuestro modelo cooperativo sin fines de lucro, utilizando instalaciones solares en techos, está ayudando a La Margarita a ser más resiliente" - Wanda Rios, ARLM
3. Energy Efficiency to Reduce Costs and Improve Health:
Energy efficiency measures not only reduce costs but also improve health outcomes, particularly for seniors and residents with medical conditions. High-efficiency appliances, HVAC upgrades, and improved building insulation enhance living conditions while lowering energy bills.
"El WAP reduce los costos de energía para hogares de bajos ingresos al mejorar su eficiencia energética, garantizando la salud y seguridad de sus ocupantes" - Alvin Miranda, DDEC
4. Solar Energy and Storage Integration for Greater Resilience:
Solar energy paired with battery storage is critical for La Margarita’s energy independence. These systems reduce reliance on the grid and provide reliable power during outages, particularly when integrated with energy-efficient appliances.
"Creación de microrredes solares/comunitarias y sistemas de almacenamiento para mejorar la resiliencia de La Margarita" - Adam Eberwein, EarthSpark International
5. Collaborative Efforts to Scale Solutions and Access Funding:
A collaborative approach involving multiple organizations, including ARLM, EarthSpark, and Solar United Neighbors, is essential for scaling energy resilience solutions. Funding from programs like the SOLVE IT Prize ensures long-term sustainability for these initiatives.
"Reembolsos y programas de eficiencia energética están disponibles para ayudar a negocios y hogares a acceder a tecnología más eficiente" - Juan Carlos Patiño, LUMA Energy
OPENING REMARKS SUMMARY
Each speaker provided an 8 minute and 5 slide presentation to frame overall opportunities and specific tasks to solve for with the SolveIt Opportunity and summarize available programs and resources to support resiliency in communities through energy efficiency measures.
Wanda Ríos, representing the La Margarita Resident Association, discussed cooperative efforts to implement solar, battery, and energy efficiency solutions to address local challenges. David Ortiz from Solar United Neighbors described their collaboration to build community resilience through solar and storage installations for underserved populations. Adam Eberwein of EarthSpark International focused on solar and battery projects in La Margarita and Salinas to enhance community resilience. Alvin Miranda from DDEC highlighted the Weatherization Assistance Program, which improves energy efficiency for low-income households in Puerto Rico. Juan Carlos Patiño of LUMA Energy discussed their rebate programs for energy-efficient appliances aimed at reducing consumption and stabilizing the grid.
solutions presentation summary
Antuan Cannon from Willdan provided a presentation on innovative energy efficiency solutions for community member selection. Antuan focused on the critical role of energy efficiency in building resilience against climate-related challenges. He introduced the SOLVE IT Prize, a national initiative that empowers communities to identify and implement clean energy solutions tailored to their specific needs, with La Margarita being one of the winners. Antuan emphasized how energy efficiency not only reduces costs but also strengthens grid stability and helps communities recover more effectively from disruptions. He highlighted several practical solutions, including high-efficiency air conditioning replacements, thermal storage for refrigeration, and control upgrades, providing the audience with various options to enhance energy efficiency and resilience.
Energy Efficiency Benefits & Solutions Poll Results
Participants participated in two polls to determine “Benefits of Energy Efficiency - Which is the most important?” and “Energy Efficiency Solutions – Which Solution Comes First?”. Results are shown in the figures below.
Human health, network stability, and financial stability were ranked as the top 3 most important benefits of energy efficiency. “Air Conditioning Measurements” was ranked the top solution by La Margarita community leaders, and “Heat Pump with Water Heater” was ranked as the top solution by leaders who reside outside of the community.
Figure A - Benefits of Energy Efficiency Poll
Figure B - Energy Efficiency Solutions - Community Poll
Figure C - Energy Efficiency Solutions - External Poll
Conclusion
The Solving Resiliency Through Energy Efficiency at La Margarita, Salinas, PR session united key stakeholders to address the community's energy needs through efficiency and renewable solutions. Human health, network stability, and financial stability were ranked as the top benefits of energy efficiency, with "Air Conditioning Measurements" selected as the leading solution by La Margarita leaders, and "Heat Pump with Water Heater" favored by external leaders. With ongoing support from the SOLVE IT Prize and other funding sources, these collaborative efforts will be pivotal in achieving a resilient, energy-independent future for La Margarita.
