Oscar Roque

No one paying attention to the power demands of the cloud or AI could say we are moving towards net zero. We are not, we are moving in the opposite direction, relying more and more on fossil fuel. "In Virginia, demand on Dominion’s portion of the grid is expected to jump from around 22,000MW today to around 42,000MW by 2039. Large loads that may come into the grid in the future include a number of new data center developments and the upcoming Intel chip plant outside of Columbus, Ohio; the gigawatt-scale Quantum Loophole Frederick campus in Maryland, ongoing data center growth in Virginia, and data center growth in New Jersey. In the release announcing the report, PJM noted that increased electricity demand, combined with accelerated generator retirements and the slow pace of replacement generation, will “challenge reliability in the PJM footprint by 2030 if not addressed.” At the end of 2023, PJM said around 40,000MW of projects that had completed the PJM study process had yet to move through construction, due to issues including siting, supply chain, and/or financing." https://lnkd.in/gJbkHx4V

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Puerto Rico’s power crisis illustrates the consequences of putting essential services in the hands of a private entity. Reliable electricity is not just a convenience; it is essential for economic stability and public health. Yet residents are paying exorbitant rates for a service that repeatedly fails them. Enough is enough. Puerto Ricans deserve a power grid that works for them, not against them. Puerto Rico Will Not Go Quietly Into the Dark https://lnkd.in/eemjKM3X

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The situation in Puerto Rico is dire. A large portion of the island is without power. The people who can still communicate are the lucky individuals who have solar and storage in their homes. Yet, not all Puerto Ricans have been able to get these systems. We are just at the start of hurricane season and the situation mirrors that of post Maria. How can you help? follow the posts on my page to get the stories of how to protect #netmetering policies in PR. #solar #puertorico #apagon #blackout

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HAPPENING IN PUERTO RICO: U.S. Congresswoman Jenniffer González Colón emphasizes the importance of energy resilience through access to solar energy. It is vital that the Financial Oversight & Management Board for Puerto Rico prioritizes renewable energy policies to keep the power on in Puerto Rico. https://lnkd.in/g-ubHpVZ

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🔹O.N.E AMAZON has launched the world's first Internet of Forests (IoF), a project that employs advanced technology to monitor and protect the Amazon rainforest while promoting the #sustainabledevelopment of its communities. Through sensors, satellite imagery, and real-time data networks, the #IoF allows for real-time monitoring of the health of Amazonian ecosystems, tracking deforestation and other environmental changes. In addition to contributing to biodiversity preservation, this #digitalnetwork drives sustainable development by providing connectivity and essential services to remote communities, demonstrating how technology can be a key ally in conservation and economic progress. Visit the following link to learn more about this news 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/dAvRVxe7 #techtitute #TECHGlobalUniversity

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My capstone project for my emergency management class had a focus on non-profit organizations in Puerto Rico. The project shed light on the vital role these organizations play in sustaining communities during challenging times. The document highlighted organizations like Industria Lechera de Puerto Rico (INDULAC) and Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico, showcasing their impactful efforts in assisting local communities during and post natural disasters in Puerto Rico. Through this project, I uncovered critical insights into the flaws in Puerto Rico's supply chain system and emphasized the significance of local organizations with robust strategic planning to support communities in times of crisis. #EmergencyManagement #NonProfitOrganizations #PuertoRico #CommunityResilience #UMGC

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Please take a few minutes to check out my interview with Women Creating Change.

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There is only one day left until the year ends! 🎆 You still have the chance to make a difference and help us achieve even more in 2025. We invite you to go beyond donating: invest in the Puerto Rico you want to see. With your support, we can continue driving economic development, strengthening resilience, and creating more opportunities for our communities. Every contribution brings us closer to a more prosperous and sustainable Puerto Rico. 🤝 Make your donation today and be part of the change: https://lnkd.in/exTDPZSc Foundation for Puerto Rico (FPR) is an approved non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization EIN 66-0776227 under Section 1101.01(a)(2) of the P.R. Internal Revenue Code and Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. In addition to the opportunity to take the deduction, the charitable contributions made to FPR qualify as eligible donations for purposes of Act 22-2012 and Act 60-2019, as required by certain tax exemption decrees.

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PUERTO RICO SUPREME COURT CLARIFIES FINANACIAL STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR GOVERNMENT BIDS On July 24, 2024, the Puerto Rico Supreme Court (“PRSC”) decided Transporte Sonnell, LLC v. Junta de Subastas de la Autoridad de Carreteras y Transportación de Puerto Rico y otro, 2024 TSPR 82, in which the PRSC had the opportunity to decide whether the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority (“ACT”) appropriately awarded the contract to a company that submitted financial reports and statements from a parent entity to demonstrate its own financial capacity in a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) specification. On April 12, 2022, ACT published and RFP seeking proposals to operate and maintain 8 bus routes complementing the Urban Train system. For financial capability, bidders had to submit audited financial statements for the past 3 fiscal years prepared according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Two companies submitted proposals: First Transit Puerto Rico, Inc. (First Transit PR) and Transporte Sonnell, LLC. First Transit PR's proposal stated it was a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Transit, Inc., which was ultimately owned by Recess HoldCo, LLC. It submitted financial statements for Recess HoldCo prepared using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), not GAAP. Transporte Sonnell submitted its own GAAP-compliant financial statements. After the request and evaluation of interim statements, on May 17, 2023, the Bid Board recommended awarding the contract to First Transit PR, which had offered the lowest price. Transporte Sonnell appealed the decision, arguing First Transit PR failed to demonstrate financial capacity by submitting statements from a different entity not prepared under GAAP, did not properly notarize a required corporate resolution, and submitted information for multiple companies not registered to do business in Puerto Rico. The Court of Appeals upheld the contract award. Transporte Sonnell appealed to the PRSC. The PRSC agreed with Transporte Sonnell as follows: - An analysis of the record before the PRSC showed that while First Transit PR was the entity that signed the Proposer Registration Form to participate in the, the company that submitted the proposal on its behalf was its parent entity, First Transit. Considering and evaluating the financial reports of a parent entity when, in reality, it was its subsidiary seeking to obtain the auctioned agreement, seemed to be an erroneous action by ACT. - Although it is true that the RFP allowed a bidder to participate as a consortium, for this, it was necessary for the bidder to submit certain information to prove that their participation would be under that modality. - The PRSC concluded that the Evaluation Committee could not consider information from other entities to prove its financial capacity. #Corporate&TaxLawyers

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On September 5th, our Vice President for the Energy Sector, Fernando M. Padilla, served as a panelist on the Educational Forum for Analysts and Journalists: Large Scale Renewable Energy as a Tool to Support the Electric System in Puerto Rico.   This event, sponsored by the APER Asociación de Productores de Energía Renovable (APER), brought together energy leaders and experts to educate, discuss and promote the renewable energy industry in Puerto Rico.    The forum presented an in-depth examination of the current power generation system on the island. Fernando and other panelists, NU Energy CEO + Principal and former NEPR Commissioner, Angel R. Rivera de la Cruz, and former Director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), Eng. Ricardo Ramos, discussed the role of renewable energy in this snapshot its benefits on the island, and how renewable energy is key to achieving a more sustainable and resilient energy system in Puerto Rico.    At CSA, we are proud to have leaders committed to the continued growth and improvement of our industries and communities. #TeamCSA #CSA #CSAGroup #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #makingadifference #bethechange

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Study Transmission and Distribution Design online in Gonzaga’s T&D Engineering graduate program. You may take up to two classes as a non-matriculated student. Those classes count toward the 15 credit T&D Certificate and the 30 credit Master of Engineering. It’s not too late to sign up for a class this fall:   Session A (August 26 to October 18)   * 541 Distribution System Design * 548 T-Line Design Electrical Aspects  * 500 Essential Foundations of Power Systems   Session B (October 21 to December 13)   * 543 Grid Operations * 547 Underground System Design * 553 System Automation * 501 Essential Foundations of Transmission Line Components (2 credits)   8 weeks, 3 credits each, $3,495 per class. Taught by industry experts, using real world design. www. Gonzaga.edu/tadp   #electricalengineering #powersystems #utilities #engineering #energy #automation #microgrids #smartgrid #utilitycommunications #powerdistribution #powerengineering #substation #substationautomation #electricutilities #electronics #google #layoffs #qualcomm #dukeenergy #AEP #Exelon #DominionEnergy #SRP #BurnsMcDonnell #graduateschool #certificate #civilengineering      

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https://lnkd.in/ed44c9TP This study demonstrates the importance of energy reliability and resilience to communities living in isolated island regions with high energy burden and high vulnerability to natural disasters. The opportunity here is two-fold: improve reliability at the household level to ensure resilience, while simultaneously expanding adoption of clean energy to meet climate mitigation goals. The challenge is also two-fold: developing policy to meet these goals that is equitable for people across the range of socio-economic status, and policy must be matched to people's needs: low-cost, reliable electricity.

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Real-World Impact: Puerto Rico Initiatives 🚀 Our commitment to driving growth and operational excellence extends beyond theoretical frameworks—it’s evident in our on-the-ground projects. As individuals who left Puerto Rico in our 20s and returned in our 30s, we are dedicated to leveraging our expertise to contribute to the island’s economic resurgence. Ongoing and Future Projects and Products 🔥 Digitalizing a Shoe Brand: By creating their e-commerce platform and implementing customer-centric digital strategies, we’re helping a local shoe brand expand its market reach and enhance user engagement. Building E-Commerce for an Ice Cream Franchise: We are developing an e-commerce platform for a beloved ice cream franchise to sell merchandise, expanding their market reach and enhancing customer engagement. Exploring Home Goods Distribution: Our future plans include entering the home goods sector, where we aim to revolutionize distribution strategies by leveraging digital tools and optimizing supply chain processes. Puerto Rico as a Prime Travel Stopover: We are exploring ways to position PR as a prime stopover and travel destination during the World Cup. This strategy will promote Puerto Rico's unique offerings to international visitors, enhancing both tourism and the local economy. Blockchain-Driven Rewards Points Aggregation: Leveraging blockchain technology, we are looking at ways to develop a solution to scrape the internet and aggregate accumulated reward points since the introduction of cell phones and emails. This initiative will provide added value to both customers, by allowing them to consolidate their rewards, and companies, by enhancing customer loyalty and engagement. These initiatives showcase how our tailored product management strategies deliver tangible results, driving both engagement and revenue while improving efficiency. Delivering Measurable Impact Our product management approach is driven by outcomes. We define success not just by the quality of the products we help create, but by the tangible business results they deliver. For our clients, this translates into: Higher User Engagement: Products that meet and exceed customer expectations, fostering long-term loyalty. Revenue Growth: Enhanced monetization strategies and optimized go-to-market plans. Operational Efficiency: Reduced costs and improved team productivity through streamlined processes. Looking Ahead As we continue this work, we are committed to redefining product management as a strategic lever for growth and efficiency. Our goal is to empower organizations to not only meet their immediate needs but to thrive in a competitive, rapidly evolving market. By bringing together visionary leadership, deep industry expertise, and a relentless focus on value creation, we are shaping the future of product management. This is more than a service offering—it’s a partnership that transforms challenges into opportunities, driving success at every level.

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How do you depoliticize the government? One critical step is depoliticizing recruitment. How do you do that ? There are several steps . The first one is having a skill based talent adquisition strategy, in other words , hire based on skills. The second, having the right technology to evaluate skills and minimize recruiter bias. At the Puerto Rico Department of Education we are doing just that. We are using AI to match and score candidates and we are “masking” candidate names in the initial screening.

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Dear visitors to the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez: If you are one of the visitors to our campus during the Employment Fair Days, I have a few suggestions. First, always remember that you are a guest. Yes, you'd like to hire our students and you may consider us (the faculty) as supermarket employees arranging the merchandise on the shelves. I'm okay with your considering us invisible. Yet, recall that we shaped those minds. Stop telling them: "In the classrooms, they don't teach what is useful in the industry." We professors shape minds; we don't mass-produce automata for your particular company. Creativity comes from a broad interdisciplinary underpinning. So, shut up. Second, there are a few courtesy-related issues. Our classrooms have a primary use. Even if our class finishes at 10:15 a.m., we still need a break to clean up the board, turn off projectors, collect our markers and stuff, make sure that nobody forgot anything, and so forth. It is really unpolite that you come in (sometimes even without saying 'hello') with your attendees and start your talk while we're still busy ensuring the classroom is ready for YOUR use. So, be freaking polite, please. Third, if you happen to be an alumnus or alumna of our struggling institution, it would be quite gracious if you said 'hi' to us even if we only taught you a single class. It is very sad when we see a pompous, chesty individual who considers us professors as losers who couldn't get a more decent job. Many of us are in this unsung business because of something called "vocation." In your puffiness, you became blind to such a simple (yet noble) word. If you are a product of the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, perhaps we have not been effective enough with your basic education. Yes, this will always be your home. So, respect it and those who take care of it EVERY DAY. My best. There,

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The Solar Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico is holding the 8th edition of its SESA Summit, to discuss renewable energy paths for the island. #NewsismyBusiness

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I fully endorse the urgent and compelling message articulated in this article. The systemic disregard and demeaning rhetoric directed toward Puerto Ricans are not only unacceptable but antithetical to the core values of our democracy. The author's incisive critique highlights a disturbing pattern of contempt that undermines the dignity and rights of American citizens residing in Puerto Rico. The disenfranchisement of millions who cannot vote in presidential elections is a profound democratic deficit that we must address. The call to action for those who can vote to represent the interests of those who cannot is both necessary and just. It is imperative that we leverage our democratic mechanisms to combat intolerance and uphold the principles enshrined in the Constitution. The portrayal of the current political climate as reminiscent of dangerous ideologies from the past serves as a stark warning. We cannot afford to normalize hate speech or allow divisive leadership to erode the foundations of our society. The urgency of electing a leader who embodies inclusivity, respect, and a commitment to democratic norms cannot be overstated. Supporting Kamala Harris is more than a political choice; it is an affirmation of our collective commitment to justice, equality, and effective governance. Her dedication to addressing the pressing needs of Puerto Rico through concrete policies and initiatives demonstrates a readiness to lead with empathy and competence. By prioritizing investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, she offers a tangible path forward for communities that have long been marginalized. Indeed, we stand at a critical juncture where the consequences of our electoral decisions will reverberate for generations. It is incumbent upon us to reject divisiveness and embrace leadership that unites and uplifts. I urge all eligible voters, especially those who understand the profound importance of this moment, to cast their votes in favor of Kamala Harris. Together, we can work toward a more inclusive and equitable society that honors the rights and dignities of all its members.

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