Energy and Energy Storage

Stressed populations in post-disaster, post-war and/or impoverished situations will likely experience disruptions in electric power. Often, the infrastructure will have been severely damaged and alternative electrical power sources will be needed until the system can be restored. In other cases, where a population is displaced and is living in a temporary camp, electrical power will be needed for lights to provide security, heating or cooling, and to meet many other life support requirements that consume electrical power. Stable power for internet and communications is becoming increasingly important. Comms, Lift, and Power must be considered together. The initial emphasis after a disaster will be on delivering key supplies such as food, water, and building materials, but without communications there won’t be situational awareness of what needs to go where, and without power there won’t be communications, and both will need lift to move them to where they’ll be needed. Integrated, renewable and mobile energy solutions are key in providing sustainable support in development and reconstruction environments.
Many variables need to be considered in order to provide sustainable and self-sustaining power solutions for small and large scale operations in emergency environments. If there is no stable power grid, alternative solutions (derived from wind, solar, micro-hydro, hybrid, etc.) may be critical to survival or recovery. However, not every power provision suits all situations. The needs of individuals, resource availability and the integration of civil-military capabilities sharing in the scenario all play a role in determining the most fitting integrated approach to energy solutions.
STAR-TIDES provides a useful database of information for inexpensive, sustainable power technologies and infrastructure solutions for emergency situations and development scenarios with minimal transportation costs.
Further references are on our Global Innovation Exchange Power page:
http://startides.globalinnovationexchange.org/innovations/sector/energy-340