Key Takeaways:
- Landmark Solar and BESS Project: DEPCOM Power inaugurates Ciro One, Puerto Rico’s most extensive solar and battery energy storage system.
- Comprehensive Expertise: DEPCOM showcases integrated engineering, procurement, construction, and O&M services.
- Advanced Technology: Ciro One features innovative lithium-titanate oxide battery technology and hurricane-resistant PV system design.
- Economic and Environmental Impact: The project created 370 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs and will power 60,000 homes in Puerto Rico.
DEPCOM Power (DEPCOM), a leader in utility-scale solar and energy storage solutions, announced the inauguration of Ciro One, Puerto Rico’s most extensive solar and battery energy storage system. Developed in collaboration with Ciro Energy Group and local subcontractor Lord Construction Inc., the 90-MWac photovoltaic (PV) and 51.5 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) is a significant step toward Puerto Rico’s renewable energy goals.
Technological Innovations
Ciro One’s BESS utilizes a lithium-titanate oxide (LTO) battery, ensuring higher cycling power, lower degradation, and a warranted system life of 25 years. The PV system is designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and features a lower panel tilt angle and east/west row orientation, with salt fog filters to protect against salinity.
Agrovoltaics Integration
In line with Puerto Rico’s land optimization needs, Ciro One serves as a pilot site for agrovoltaics. It combines energy production with agricultural activities, using sheep for vegetation management and designating one of the PV arrays for scalability demonstration in future projects.
Sustainable and Reliable Energy
DEPCOM CEO Johnnie Taul emphasized the project’s importance in building critical infrastructure for Puerto Rico’s energy future. The company has also developed a unique solution for grid isolation, enabling the BESS to connect to a PV array for power supply in grid-down situations, thus avoiding using diesel generators.
Economic and Community Impact
Ciro One will power approximately 60,000 typical Puerto Rican homes, creating substantial economic and environmental benefits. The project generated 370 direct jobs, peaking at 1,000 indirect jobs during construction. DEPCOM Director of Energy Storage Nadja Gocek highlighted the project’s role in reducing electricity costs, improving grid reliability, and accelerating renewable energy deployment in Puerto Rico.
Photo credit: Lord Construction Group – San Juan, Puerto Rico
