Photovoltaic Use in Disaster Relief

Written by:

Scott Hoaglund

For:

Capstone: Energy Resources EEN 2850 B

Dr. Libby Prueher

September 8, 2016

Table of Contents

Abstract.……………………..………………………….………………………………………………………………………i

Acknowledgements…………………………………………..…………………………………………………………..ii

Introduction……………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………1

Case Studies…………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………2

Hurricane Andrew……………………………………………..……………………………………………….2

Hurricane Katrina………………………………………………………………….……………………………3

Hurricane Sandy……………………………………………………….………………………………………..5

Haiti Earthquake……………………………………..……………………………………………………….…6

Nepal Earthquake………………………………………………..……………………………………………..8

Refugee Camps…………………………………………..………………………………………………………9

Interview….……………………………………..…………………………………..………………………………………11

Jenny Schmitz…………………………………………………………….…………………………………….11

Conclusion………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………….14

References Cited……………………………………………………………………………..…………………………..16

Abstract

A disaster can hit anywhere in a second. A tsunami hits a coastal city with no

warning. The beach vacation in the Bahamas turns into surviving a hurricane. A

quiet morning in a forgotten city is changed as a city is shaken to the ground by an

earthquake. Heavy rains cause mudslides and floods that wipe out everything

recognizable. War torn countries displace thousands and many have to live in

refugee camps. When these disasters cripple the area’s infrastructure, how will

devastated people communicate with loved ones? How will makeshift hospitals and

clinics get the energy to power their much-needed electrical devices? This problem

is often not talked about and sometimes overlooked, but in the past few decades

there have been Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) that have heard the call of people

in need and stepped in to help. These NPOs (ex: SunFarmer and Consolidated Solar)

have moved in mobile solar power stations and solar powered water pumps to help

restore radio communications, power medical facilities, and to help bring a little

light to a community that has suddenly gone dark.

From Hurricane Andrew to the earthquake in Nepal, there are many examples of

how mobile solar power stations can help ease the burdens and minds of local,

disaster-stricken communities and assist the victims get a head start on what to do

next.

Acknowledgements

I would like to show my gratitude to Scott Wiebensohn (Ecotech Institute), and

Jenny Schmitz (Denver Health) for their guidance, advise, support, and incredible

information on this subject. You have helped in the writing process of this thesis

more than you know.

Introduction

Photovoltaic (PV) technology, having the first conventional modules being created

in the early 1950’s, is still in its infancy. This technology is still being developed, but

has made a huge impact on consumers who are looking to cut their power bill or go

completely off grid at their homestead. PV modules have many uses other than

powering your home. They could be used to power water pumps, landscape lighting,

water heaters, small generators, even small vehicles and aircraft. With the versatile

applications of these PV systems, it is easy to see the increased use of clean, solar

power in many different sectors of the community.

Most of the applications for PV systems used in relief efforts are utilized in off-grid

systems. Some of these systems are designed as mobile units such as generators and

power trailers. These systems can be utilized in many situations including camping,

back-up power, additional power when needed, and a big presence in disaster relief.

Since mobile solar power generating devices are easily moveable, they can be

readily deployed to areas that have been recently struck by a disaster that has

disabled the power grid and displaced families. Hurricanes and earthquakes happen

every year and some are more powerful than others. From Hurricane Andrew to

Katrina and Sandy and also the earthquakes in Haiti and Nepal, PV systems have

helped ease the burdens of the unfortunate communities struck by these events. Not

only can these systems be found in disaster zones, but also they are located in

refugee camps throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa. These scenarios

prove that PV technology is not only useful for saving money on the electric bill, but

can also provide life saving solutions for people in need.

Case Studies

Hurricane Andrew

Hurricane Andrew landed in Florida in August of 1992. This was a category four

storm with 140 mph winds and created 18-foot waves that crashed the shoreline

(Young, W. R., Jr. 1995). After the storm had passed, over 85,000 buildings were

severely damaged and 34,000 homes had to be rebuilt (Young, W. R., Jr. 1995). More

than two hundred thousand people were displaced and another 51 were killed due

to the storm (Young, W. R., Jr. 1995). The damaged buildings were left without

electrical, water, and sewage services for days and weeks, and this included:

hospitals, police stations, fire stations, and clinics (Young, W. R., Jr. 1995). Several

buildings that sustained minimal damage were converted to makeshift shelters and

clinics to help the local communities in need (Young, W. R., Jr. 1995).

The Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) and Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) were

asked to supply any PV systems that would supply power to several temporary

medical stations (Young, W. R., Jr. 1995). The FSEC was not prepared to supply

many systems but was able to provide five 1-kWp systems with battery banks

(Young, W. R., Jr. 1995). These systems were used to power vaccine refrigerators,

lighting, radios, fans, and other electrical needs (Young, W. R., Jr. 1995). They were

in place and used for several weeks until the utilities were able to supply reliable

service to the affected areas (Young, W. R., Jr. 1995). These systems were not the

only PV modules in use in the area. After the storm passed, the only streetlights that

were still functioning were ones that used a small module for power (Young, W. R.,

Jr. 1995). Electric construction signs were converted to use PV modules to notify

people of damaged roads and to direct people in need to shelters and clinics (Young,

W. R., Jr. 1995). This small-scale use of the PV systems was an early example of what

this technology can do in relief efforts.

Hurricane Katrina

Figure 1 PV trailer powering an emergency radio station in Kilm, Mississippi (Young, B. 2005)

There is a need for electricity in relief efforts in the affected area, but also the need

for communication becomes just as important. Bill Young, of the Red Cross, used his

knowledge of PV systems and HAM radios to help in several relief efforts, including

Katrina (Young, B. 2005). Mr. Young was assigned to Kilm, Mississippi to set

emergency communication services in the affected area (Young, B. 2005). The HAM

radio system he used was mounted on a trailer that is fixed with PV modules (Figure

1) (Young, B. 2005). This radio communications system was not only used for

emergency personnel, but also used for people to be able to get into contact with

family members (Young, B. 2005). Bill spent ten days in the Kilm area to train

volunteers to use the system and to evaluate various other communication systems

in southern Mississippi (Young, B. 2005).

Arguably the worst-hit area after this storm was New Orleans. Jeffrey Williams, a

physician at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, addressed the hospital’s situation

which included a lack of food, water, power generation, and communication with

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer (Hellweg, E. 2005). “We’re not getting any information,”

(Hellweg, E. 2005) Williams told Wolf Blitzer. “Our lack of communication is a real

problem (Hellweg, E. 2005).” Freedom4Wireless is a wireless company based out of

Florida that immediately sent a team to the city to provide wireless networks for

emergency services and the general public (Hellweg, E. 2005). These networks

provided rescue workers with Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based phone

networks and police radio capabilities that ran off PV and battery bank systems

(Hellweg, E. 2005). Motorola also helped get communications back to the city. The

company sent 2,500 pieces of equipment that included radios, chargers, and

consoles (Hellweg, E. 2005). These systems were mobile trailers that were powered

by attached PV modules (Hellweg, E. 2005).

Hurricane Sandy

Figure 2 Greenpeace's Rolling Sunlight PV truck. (Young, B. 2013)

Hurricane Sandy also saw relief efforts aided by PV systems (Young, B. 2013).

Greenpeace sent its truck, the Rolling Sunlight (Figure 2), to a New York City

donation center to help locals power their cell phones and other important devices

(Young, B. 2013). Louis Berger Group and SolaRover donated mobile solar

generators to help power a Greenpeace gym, a clinic, and also a soup kitchen in the

town of Rockaway Park, New York (Young, B. 2013). In Bayonne, New Jersey, the

Midtown Community School was converted into a temporary shelter that housed 75

residents (Young, B. 2013). This shelter was powered by a 232-kWp array, two

commercial solar inverters, and a backup battery bank to supplement the school’s

generators during the power outages (Young, B. 2013). Other organizations also

donated portable systems to power smaller loads such as TV, phones, and lighting

(Young, B. 2013).

Consolidated Solar has utilized 10-kWp generators that are powerful enough to

power tools, laptops, and heat food (Tweed, K. 2012). The larger 20-kWp generators

are used to power cell phone towers or entire buildings (Tweed, K. 2012). “My

biggest intention when the hurricane hit was to get these out there to help people,”

said Chris Mejia, Consolidated Solar founder (Tweed, K. 2012). “There are a lot of

applications and it’s just a matter of getting them out in front of people (Tweed, K.

2012).” With the stress of limited gas supplies after the storm, the renewable

community wants officials to consider adding solar technologies as an option for

backup emergency power (Tweed, K. 2012).

Haiti Earthquake

Before the earthquake, only about 10% of Haiti’s population were connected to the

power grid, one of the lowest percentages in the world. After the event, there was

relatively no power grid to support the local communities. Solar module

manufacturer, Sol, donated solar street lamps (Figure 3), some to be used in

hospitals so the injured can still be treated at night, while Sun Oven International

sent hundreds of solar powered ovens to Port-au-Prince (Chapa, J. 2010). A school,

working as an aid center in Croix-des-Bouquets, was being powered by an array that

Waterworld and Solar Technologies provided (Chapa, J. 2010). On the

communications side, Digicel sent many solar powered mobiles to the region

(Chapa, J. 2010). The Red Cross was also aiding in relief efforts by utilizing a solar

powered water purification system to purify more than 30,000 gallons of water

(Chapa, J. 2010). Solarworld also donated ten water-purifying systems, enough to

supply clean water for 175,000 people (Chapa, J. 2010).

Figure 3 A view of solar street lighting being used in Port-au-Prince. (Chapa, J. 2010)

Nepal Earthquake

Figure 4 Basic solar lights and charging stations (Tweed, K. 2015)

April of 2015 saw a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal, which leveled much of the

capital, Kathmandu (Tweed, K. 2015). Not only did the capital sustain damage, over

1.4 million people were affected and in need of help in the surrounding villages

(Tweed, K. 2015). SunFarmer, led by Avishek Malla, usually deploys 2-kWp systems

to remote clinics, but has scaled up the size of deployments (Tweed, K. 2015). With

many 100-150-kWp systems located in warehouses around the affected area and in

India, additional 200-kWp systems were sent out to power health clinics with the

goal of helping 100 clinics (Tweed, K. 2015). SunFarmer also donated $25,000 of

their own money and collected donations to help the recovery efforts (Tweed, K.

2015). The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) donated an

additional 8,000 solar lanterns to Kathmandu and surrounding villages (Tweed, K.

2015). Gham Power, a solar micro-grid company located in Nepal, deployed solar

lighting and provided charging stations to rescue workers and the local community

(Figure 4) (Tweed, K. 2015). Many of the affected villages did not have reliable

power before the earthquake, so these systems will continue to be an asset as

rebuilding begins (Tweed, K. 2015).

Refugee Camps

In the country of Jordan, you will find the third largest refugee camp in the world,

Zaatari. With an estimated 1,000 displaced people entering the camp each day,

electricity is the last thing aid workers are worried about providing (Samuel, T.

N.D.). Sunna Design, along with the help of Electriciens Sans Frontières (ESF), has

moved in to provide much needed lighting (Samuel, T. N.D.). Sunna Design has

developed an all-in-one plug and play streetlight, the ISSL+, which contains the PV

module, electronics, and battery in one product that is ready to install at the top of

any light pole (Samuel, T. N.D.). 100 of these devices have been installed throughout

the camp, mainly around the built toilet facilities (Samuel, T. N.D.). This simple

element of light has not only reduced crime and vandalism, but has also reduced the

risk of sexual and gender based violence, many of which were against children

(Samuel, T. N.D.).

Figure 5 Solar powered pumping station at the Nyarugusu refugee camp (Marwa, B. 2016).

Safety is not the only use for PV systems in refugee camps. The Nyarugusu camp in

Tanzania has a 207-module array that is used to pump clean water up to 60,000

liters an hour (Figure 5) (Marwa, B. 2016). Oxfam built this array that is one of the

largest solar pumping systems and is a more cost effective alternative to diesel-

powered generators that can also be found at the camp (Marwa, B. 2016). The

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has also implemented

several pilot projects in many camps (Lahn, G., Grafham, O. 2015). In Bangladesh,

the camp Kutupalong has received 160 streetlights. 124 of those lights are still

functional due to old technology and deterioration (Lahn, G., Grafham, O. 2015). The

Sag-Nioniogo camp in Burkina Faso has had 691 households fitted with solar ovens,

or “blazing tubes,” that are constructed out of previously installed mud and stone

ovens (Lahn, G., Grafham, O. 2015). These ovens are said to still be working but are

limited by daylight hours and have proved to not be durable during the rainy

seasons (Lahn, G., Grafham, O. 2015). In Iraq, Kawergosk has received 12 shelters

donated by the UNHCR and Ikea (Lahn, G., Grafham, O. 2015). These shelters are

fitted with PV modules to power lighting, charge small devices, and also come with

lockable doors (Lahn, G., Grafham, O. 2015). This project has not expanded due to

lack of funding (Lahn, G., Grafham, O. 2015).

Interview

The following is an interview I conducted with Mrs. Jenny Schmitz (Denver Health)

on August 4, 2016.

Q. Can you tell me a little about yourself and what you do?

A. My background is in International Studies; my Masters degree was from the

University of Denver, international studies with concentrations on homeland

security and global health. My background is on the homeland security but on the

healthcare and hospital side. I work at Denver Health here in Denver for about eight

years doing emergency preparedness and planning for the hospital. Now I work for

a consulting company called All Clear Emergency Management Group, and we do

emergency preparedness consulting across the country; not only for health care and

hospital, but for schools, universities, churches, businesses, safe base organizations,

government agencies, EMS, and fire departments. We really work with all sorts of

responders from all over the country. I also am the safety offer on the Colorado 3

Disaster Medical Assistance Team, which is an emergency response team that is

based out of Health and Human Services, that can be deployed to a disaster area, to

set up temporary hospitals and health care facilities to take care of the patients that

have been affected by the event.

Q. Have you been directly involved in any relief efforts?

A. On the hospital side, we have done hospital responses for a whole bunch of stuff.

I was a Red Cross volunteer for a long time. Part of the Red Cross, I was part of the

Hurricane Katrina response, part of the I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis, so I

have done some outside of the hospital field based responses as well.

Q. Do you have any experience with PV systems in disaster relief efforts?

A. Not really. The idea is intriguing for sure. Trying to get power to a devastated

area is difficult, until power supply companies like Xcel try to have rapid response

teams, but it still takes a long time to get basic infrastructure up and running. Most

hospitals and some of the critical buildings do have generators, but on the private

citizen side, the solar power idea is fascinating. I have not seen that in actual

response but I love that idea.

Q. Do you believe there should be an increase of PV system use in relief

efforts?

A. Yes. I don’t know the logistics of it but the practicality would be amazing. I know

the company Tide has created mobile washing machine stations that they send to

tornado areas, where people can go and wash their clothes. After something so

destructive like that or a large fire, people having clean clothes are one of those

things that are really important, fairly basic but really important. I see the easy

access to power to be along the same lines. Even if it comes to charging their cell

phones, or something along those lines, I think there is a great potential for that. I

don’t know that much about the technology but I see applicability use in the field.

Q. Who are some of the NPOs you have worked with?

A. I was a Red Cross volunteer. The Red Cross is still one of the big non-profit

organizations involved in this. The Southern Baptists and Salvation Army are also

really big on responding and a great resource for response.

Q. In your experience, how can PV systems be better implemented in these

efforts?

A. Hospitals are required by federal law to keep their operations running with

generators and back-up generators. Public service agencies such as the fire

department, law enforcement, emergency medical teams also are pretty strictly

prepared for back-ups. I could see a greater need for this on the community side.

Not necessarily the official responders side but the neighborhood that’s impacted

needing access to power. That would be a great area; the general citizens could have

access. The other side of this is the sheltering aspect. The Red Cross does this on a

day-to-day basis with either an apartment fire or the floods in Boulder a few years

ago and also wildfires. The Red Cross is usually the lead agency in setting up

community shelters, in churches, schools, or community centers, where people can

sleep on cots, get meals, basic health care, and a lot of these places don’t have a

back-up power source. This could be a really interesting use for this as well as a

potential for the shelter side.

Conclusion

Solar power technologies are an essential aspect of disaster relief. From lighting

shelters, powering temporary clinics, to cooking food and providing

communications, PV systems need to be on the front lines with the responders. If

disaster readiness responders are more knowledgeable and comfortable with these

systems, they can more readily be allocated to the areas that need them most. This

will bring simple luxuries and life-saving energy to affected communities sooner

rather than later.

PV systems not only help with natural disasters, but also with man made disasters.

Displaced peoples need access to electricity for cooking food, pumping water,

education, communication, and most importantly, safety. Many of the refugees are

fleeing civil wars and governmental warlords. To be able to enter a camp, have clean

water, a place to be able to charge a phone or use a radio to reach out to loved ones,

and a simple light bulb can make a life torn apart seem a little bit brighter.

References Cited

Chapa, J. (2010, January 21). Solar Energy Powering Reconstruction Efforts in

Haiti. Retrieved August 5 from http://inhabitat.com/solar-energy-powering-

reconstruction-efforts-in-haiti/

Hellweg, E. (2005, September 2). Technology Responds to Hurricane Katrina.

Retrieved August 1, 2016 from

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/404642/technology-responds-to-hurricane-

katrina/

Lahn, G., Grafham, O. (2015, November). Heat, Light and Power for Refugees

[PDF]. Page 36. London: The Royal Institute of International Affairs/Chatham House.

Marwa, B. (2016, June 10). 207 solar panels, plenty of clean water. Retrieved

September 1, 2016 from http://www.oxfamblogs.org/eastafrica/?p=8600

Samuel, T. (N.D.). Solar Lighting Technology used for emergency lighting for

refugees in Camp Zaatari (Jordan). Retrieved August 20, 2016 from

http://www.ruralelec.org/project-case-studies/sunna-design-solar-lighting-

technology-used-emergency-lighting-refugees-camp

Tweed, K. (2012, December 5). Can Solar Generators Get a Toehold After

Sandy?. Retrieved August 1, 2016 from

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/can-solar-generators-get-a-

toehold-post-sandy

Tweed, K. (2015). How Solar Is Playing a Role in Nepal’s Disaster Relief.

Retrieved July 14, 2016, from http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/role-

for-solar-in-nepal-disaster-relief

Young, W. R., Jr. (1995, November 2). Photovoltaic Applications for Disaster

Relief [PDF]. Cocoa: Florida Solar Energy Center/University of Central Florida.

Young, B. (2005, October). Diary of a Hurricane Relief Volunteer. Retrieved

August 1, 2016 from

http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/media/newsletters/echron/archives/2005/Q4/

disaster-relief.htm

Young, B. (2013, March 21). Renewable Energy to the Rescue. Retrieved July,

14, 2016 from http://solartoday.org/2013/03/renewable-energy-to-the-rescue/