A Photovoltaic Balloon Could Bring Electricity To Disaster Zones

Emerging Technologies

A photovoltaic balloon could bring electricity to disaster zones. This episode discusses the possibility of using a balloon to provide power in areas where traditional infrastructure has been destroyed.

Earthquakes, tornadoes, fires and flood; disasters come in a variety of forms. And depending on when and where they occur, the job of relief agencies can be difficult. Aid workers need electricity to help those affected, whether it’s used for setting up temporary hospitals and shelters, or for locating survivors in the wreckage. Diesel generators are frequently brought in to do the job, but they require a steady stream of fuel. So, what if there was a way to provide reliable power independent of supply line logistics? That’s the idea behind the Zephyr Photovoltaic Balloon, which uses solar energy to provide electricity in a disaster zone. Focusing on life-threatening situations where energy was imperative, the three students envisioned an autonomous device that could easily be set up in remote locations to generate electricity. That idea crystallised into an eco-friendly generator.

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