Natural disasters take many forms. Hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and flooding. The ensuing breakdown of power supply can directly and indirectly aggravate the situation for the local population hit by natural disasters and their ability to cope with the aftermath. The work of relief organisations can be greatly jeopardised by lack of electricity. For temporary hospitals and shelters to be built, or for survivors to helped, aid workers require electricity [1]. Diesel generators are typically used but need a constant supply of fuel. The majority of the energy in temporary evacuation camps is produced by large, polluting generators. Such oil-based generator systems are prone to breakdowns, making expenditures uncertain and cost to environment unpredictably high.

An eco-friendly and transportable solution for producing electricity is offered by a creative, portable, solar energy generating system which only relies on water. [2]. Zephyr Solar have created automated energy platforms with integrated solar panels. In emergency situations, balloons provide aerial observation and communication, allowing to re-establish contact with isolated groups or to observe and safeguard the animals in their native habitats [3]. The idea took inspiration from kites [1]. A large balloon collects solar energy and a ground station, stored in a transportable container, distributes the energy locally. The system includes a water chamber, a compartment that holds the inflatable balloon, a release wire and an embedded microprocessor. It is transported to a calamity region and the balloon is taken out of the container and spread out on the ground so it may begin capturing solar energy right away. An electrolyser converts nine litres of water into hydrogen used to inflate the balloon up which is attached to the ground unit via the cable.

The balloon was created in collaboration with the Institute for Research and Development of Photovoltaic Energy (IRDEP). It is made of plastic canvas and has a thin layer of solar energy-absorbing copper, indium, gallium, and selenide (CIGS) on it. The balloon features a steering system to maximise its solar exposure while flying up to 165 feet in the air. Electricity is transported to the ground station’s nine large high-capacity batteries via a wire connected to the balloon.

According to Zephyr's designers, each module can supply 3 kWh of energy [4], enough power to establish a communications infrastructure, to heat, cool, and provide light to up to 15 shelters.

The initiative remains in its early stages but is receiving widespread attention. Some argue such solutions will play an increasing role due to the rising number of disasters caused by global warming. It is also an example of the versatility of solar panels, and the ingenuity of engineers in building products with multiple uses, where components of the structure also act as energy sources. There are other examples of such groundbreaking ingenuity in the area of electrical batteries for cars and planes. Instead of compartmentalising and maximising the efficiency of each component, engineers are utilising a component for multiple uses, structure as well as energy supply and storage. The future points to a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving.
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References
[1] Joni Blecher, “A Photovoltaic Balloon Could Bring Electricity to Disaster Zones | Innovation| Smithsonian Magazine,” Smith Sonian, Dec. 19, 2014. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/photovoltaic-balloon-could-bring-electricity-to-disaster-zones-180953690/ (accessed Oct. 02, 2022).
[2] Prof.(Dr.) Sanjay K Rout, “Energy production after Disaster: Zéphyr Solar,” Feb. 21, 2020. https://ideaspies.com/posts/energy-production-after-disaster-zephyr-solar (accessed Oct. 02, 2022).
[3] BNP Paribas, “Zéphyr Solar : Self-powered aerial platform - BNP Paribas,” Dec. 14, 2018. https://group.bnpparibas/en/news/zephyr-solar-self-powered-aerial-platform (accessed Oct. 02, 2022).
[4] Caroline de Malet, “Zephyr solaire: Energy supplied by a humanitarian kite | Impact Journalism Day 2018,” 2022. http://impactjournalismday.com/story/energy-supplied-by-humanitarian-kite/ (accessed Oct. 02, 2022).