Universities should be active partners in advancing innovative energy strategies that enhance resilience, promote sustainability, and foster community engagement. This will require developing a skilled workforce and cultivating partnerships that leverage local resources and expertise. By pursuing these opportunities, universities can play a pivotal role in addressing energy challenges in island environments, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable energy practices that enhance community resilience and equity.
Empowering Island Communities through
Sustainable Energy Policies and Solutions
Challenges
What are the challenges facing island nations and states in developing innovative energy solutions that are particularly suited to their unique environments?
Innovation Spotlight:
Partnership to Increase Representation in Energy Research in Puerto Rico
The Partnership to Increase Representation in Energy Research in Puerto Rico (PIRESPR) brings together NREL and Puerto Rican universities to train students in clean hydrogen and renewable-energy science. Through hands on research in electrochemistry, it empowers underrepresented students to develop affordable catalysts and contribute to rebuilding Puerto Rico’s energy grid with renewable solutions. The initiative merges education, equity, and innovation, transforming higher education into a force for community resilience and sustainable development.
This initiative was one made in an attempt to make progress in Puerto Rico's goal of producing 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025 and achieving 100% renewable generation by 2050.
Opportunities
How can universities drive economic diversification in their territories and regions?
Related Insights
Discover how universities advance sustainable energy solutions by linking research, policy, and innovation to address global challenges and empower local resilience.