October Advisory Board Meeting

Summary:

The discussion centered on various initiatives and challenges related to telecommunications, energy, and environmental monitoring in Puerto Rico. Jose Molina introduced Dr. Behzad Kousha, who will participate in an upcoming session organized by Gail Nolan to clarify key points. Bob Brumley emphasized the need to prepare Dr. Kousha for discussions on satellite viability versus submarine cables, while Sam Talman provided insights from a meeting with Dr. Martin Weiss regarding Integrated Sensing and Communications Technologies (ISAC) and their implications for both military and commercial sectors. Eliut Flores presented his DiveSite Network project, which aims to deploy smart mooring buoys for ocean monitoring, and expressed a desire for collaboration on grant proposals.

The meeting also addressed significant challenges in Puerto Rico's energy sector, particularly following PREPA's bankruptcy, which has led to increased adoption of distributed energy resources. Talman highlighted the regulatory issues surrounding solar panel installations and the slow procurement processes for large-scale projects. Discussions included the importance of military bases in community disaster response and the need for improved collaboration between Department of Defense installations and local entities.

Future events, such as the Energy 2025 event and the Caribbean Space Summit, were mentioned as opportunities for engagement and collaboration. Additionally, Talman proposed a project to distribute weather stations in public schools to enhance weather preparedness, with support from local universities and organizations to strengthen funding applications.

Chapters & Topics:

PR5G Zone Advisory Board Updates

Jose Molina mentioned Dr. Behzad Kousha, a telecommunications expert from George Washington University, who will be involved in future discussions. Gail Nolan CEcD is coordinating a meeting to establish talking points among the participants, including Bob Brumley, who aims to explore the role of satellites in telecommunications. Bob emphasized the importance of preparing Dr. Kousha for the discussion to ensure a productive dialogue.

* Overview of the upcoming meeting and its objectives.

ISAC Activities and Commercial Applications Discussion

Sam Talman discussed a recent meeting with Dr. Martin Weiss regarding ISAC activities, highlighting its dual-use potential for defense and commercial applications. Admiral David Simpson elaborated on the commercial aspects, suggesting that sensing technologies could improve efficiency in energy distribution and security. Eliut Flores proposed a project involving smart mooring buoys for ecological monitoring and illegal activity detection, seeking collaboration for resubmission of a previous grant proposal.

* Discussion on the ISAC initiative and its implications for the project.

Key Challenges and Value Propositions in Microgrid Development

Sam Talman outlined two primary challenges related to DERs: the need for a self-sustaining microgrid and its interoperability with the larger grid. He highlighted the engineering complexities of islanded systems and the importance of balancing load profiles for various operations. David Simpson added that the Department of Defense is increasingly focused on the resiliency of bases and their surrounding communities, emphasizing the need for shared backup resources.

Energy Initiatives and Community Resilience in Puerto Rico

David Simpson highlighted the proposal for better collaboration between DOW installations and the commercial sector in Puerto Rico, focusing on disaster response capabilities. Sam Talman added that the military bases play a crucial role in community support during emergencies, and there is significant interest in the proposal from both commercial providers and the Department of Defense. They noted the absence of funding but expressed optimism about future meetings to secure financial support.

Current Challenges and Opportunities in Puerto Rico's Energy Sector

Sam Talman outlined the challenges facing Puerto Rico's energy sector due to PREPA's bankruptcy, including the rise of distributed energy resources in manufacturing and residential solar. He pointed out that while there are opportunities for resilience, the current regulatory framework does not mandate battery usage, leading to potential grid instability. Talman also mentioned the slow pace of large-scale project procurement and the need for more agile responses to energy demands.

Upcoming Energy and Space Initiatives in Puerto Rico

Sam Talman announced the Energy 2025 event on October 10th, emphasizing the importance of energy discussions in Puerto Rico. Jose Molina shared insights from a recent meeting with the Department of Commerce regarding the development of a launch site and the upcoming Caribbean Space Summit on October 28th, which aims to explore the intersection of local industries and the space economy.

* Economic opportunities related to the development of a launch site in Puerto Rico.

Update on Weather Stations and Collaborative Efforts in Puerto Rico

Sam Talman discussed a project to install weather stations in Puerto Rico's public schools, which will connect to a central repository for data analysis. Ingrid Padilla from the University of Puerto Rico shared insights on existing climatology efforts and a previous proposal for a comprehensive network that was not funded. Both emphasized the need for collaboration to enhance the effectiveness of weather data initiatives.

* Collaboration and alignment of efforts regarding weather stations and data collection initiatives.

Action Items:

* Gail Nolan CEcD will organize a meeting for all Caribbean Space Summit panel participants to define notes and talking points.

* Bob Brumley will provide Dr. Behzad Kousha with relevant materials ahead of the panel discussion to ensure he is prepared.

* Sam Talman will lead the meeting discussions and follow up on any items not covered in this session.

* Sam Talman will update the proposal with specific language that aligns with the ISAC initiative and priorities from the Department of War.

* David Simpson will seek follow-up meetings with civil engineers within the Defense Department, including the Energy, Installations, and Environment Assistant Secretary.

* Sam Talman will connect with Ingrid Padilla to align priorities and data access for the weather stations initiative.