Energy Planning for Puerto Rico: A Systems Modeling Approach

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Abstract
This study presents various models for energy planning for the year 2000 in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico depends on imported oil for 99% of its energy needs. The island has many promising energy sources such as biomass (sugar cane bagasse), photovoltaics (solar energy), ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), and wind power systems (WPS). These energy sources present some trade-offs in costs, pollution level, and fuel importation, which are studied. Uncertainty in future demand is taken into account. Integer variables representing the possible electricity generation plants are defined. The best compromise solution using the global criterion method for multiple objectives is presented. The proven alternatives such as coal-steam plants, nuclear plants, and biomass steam plants could have political constraints. New technologies such as photovoltaics, OTEC, and WPS possess many uncertainties. Should the cost of these alternatives be less than the electricity generated using oil, a combination of these energy sources would represent the best alternatives to solve Puerto Rico's electricity needs.