Resilient Power Puerto Rico (RPPR) | Marvel

Firm： Marvel

Type： Industrial › Power Plant

STATUS： Built

YEAR： 2018

In 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria caused incredible destruction on the islands of Puerto Rico, leveling infrastructure, destroying buildings and killing at least 93 people. Every resident has been affected by what is the worst natural disaster for the region in the last century. Maria precipitated a total collapse of the island's energy grid, leaving all of Puerto Rico without power and 80% of the transmission and distribution lines damaged. Resilient Power Puerto Rico (RPPR), launched hours after the landfall of Hurricane Maria. Organized by a group of friends from New York with close ties to Puerto Rico, RPPR is an architect-led effort to confront this humanitarian crisis. RPPR's philanthropic mission is to bring independent electricity, water, and communications to the people of Puerto Rico. RPPR develops efforts to offer photovoltaic energy systems to the areas most impacted by hurricane Maria through donations and contributions of materials and work developed by a group of collaborators in NY and PR. Solar power systems offer relief by providing electric power and maintaining basic services necessary for communities. The project strives for more than power, aiming to bring energy resilience to all of Puerto Rico through a profound change in the relationship between energy and the built environment. Creating redundancy in the power system of Puerto Rico will provide security and reliability against future natural disasters or failures of the electrical system. The first phase of the project is intended to power 200 community centers and clinics throughout the islands, where citizens receive direct assistance. A second phase targets larger-scale installations and strategic partners in community development. The project has made over 16 installations island wide so far and has received over $1.2 million in donations. Thirty more sites will be installed this year in time for peak hurricane season.