Dive Brief:

• In a possible model for other states and territories, new renewable projects in Puerto Rico must include energy storage capacity under recently approved standards.
• The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and the island's government-owned utility, Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica, intend to add 600 MW of renewables in 2014.
• Under the new rules, renewable projects must include enough storage to provide 45% of the plant's maximum capacity for 60 seconds and 30% of its rated capacity for 10 minutes. The requirements aim to smooth out ramp rates and provide frequency regulation.

Dive Insight:

Puerto Rico's new rules open a market for energy storage companies. This will provide opportunities for more sales, increased experience and ultimately lower prices. Coupled with California's new energy storage requirements, energy storage appears to be on the cusp of breaking out as an emerging sector.