The National Academy of Sciences has a new book out and is planning a workshop on Jan. 30th, on this topic. Book information is here: Innovations for Development and Deployment of Sustainable Energy. [NAS books are available in hard copy and as a free download.]
From the NYTimes: Rethinking Electric Power, Prompted by Politics and Disaster. An excerpt from the article:
Researchers’ heads have danced with visions of self-sufficient microgrids and solar-harnessed battery systems as they dream of giving Puerto Rico a new power system that is cleaner and less carbon-intensive than the fossil-fuel-dependent one the storm wrecked. The island is becoming an important proving ground for ideas about how low-carbon energy can be practical, both technically and financially.
Update: On a related topic, here is a 63 page document from the European Union. Power grid recovery after natural hazard impact
From Bloomberg technology: A Storm’s Never Destroyed a Grid Like Maria Ruined Puerto Rico’s
Another take on this same topic, from the Wall St. Journal: Puerto Rico’s Power Woes Are Decades in the Making. Years of underinvestment and massive debts left the energy grid vulnerable
An another article on a likely outcome of the extended outage. As might be expected, a major outmigration is expected. See this article in the Wash Post on Sept. 23 titled Thousands Could leave PR for Good.
Puerto Rico’s Power Outage Could Be A Death Sentence For Many
“The day-to-day can unravel in an instant.”
Recovery Diva 