Puerto Rico is getting its first off-grid, 100% solar-powered electric vehicle chargers as growing natural disasters threaten the territory’s vulnerable grid, according to Electrek.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds the EV ARC infrastructure from Beam Global.
Grid outages increased by 64% over the last decade, with 83% caused by weather-related events.
The growing number of intense natural disasters, like hurricanes, severely threaten Puerto Rico’s energy grid.
After Hurricane Irma and Maria crashed through the region, Puerto Rico’s government approximated it would require more than $130 billion to fix and replace the island’s infrastructure.
More importantly, the hurricanes have left the territories’ electricity grid in chaos, which led to the US’ longest blackout in history.
Even though some projects were introduced to aid in establishing long-term grid resiliency, there is only so much that could be done to protect an island from more than 100 mph winds and powerful flooding.
Beam Global, a sustainable EV charging infrastructure leader, has a solution with its off-grid, 100% solar-powered EV ARC systems.
EV ARC charging stations
The company announced Tuesday that Puerto Rico started installing solar-powered EV ARC charging stations to power up government fleet vehicles during a natural disaster.
“The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters calls for heightened disaster preparedness. Beam products are designed and engineered to perform in extreme conditions. There is an increasing recognition that 25% of EV charging infrastructure should be off-grid so that it continues to operate during centralized grid failure.” Beam Global CEO Desmond Wheatley explained the significance of having options like its EV ARC.
“These Puerto Rico deployments are an excellent example of the steps the US government is making to provide the beginnings of a strategic electric reserve (SES) to match our Strategic Petroleum Reserve.”
Beam’s chargers handle 9.5 feet of flood & 125 mph of wind resistance
Beam’s EV ARC chargers can produce and store their electricity by harnessing renewable energy from the sun. The charging infrastructure is designed to endure extreme weather with up to 9.5 feet of flood-proof capabilities and 125 mph wind resistance.
Furthermore, the company’s solar-powered EV ARC charging stations are included in the FEMA Authorized Equipment List under the designation 10BC-00-SOLR Chargers.
Beam Global says the infrastructure can be deployed in minutes, instead of months, with personal records being four minutes.
