Enhancing Disaster Resilience Through Mobile Solar–Biogas Hybrid PowerKiosks

Seneshaw Tsegaye (), Mason Lundquist, Alexis Adams, Thomas H. Culhane, Peter R. Michael, Jeffrey L. Pearson and Thomas M. Missimer
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Seneshaw Tsegaye: Department of Bioengineering, Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard S., Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
Mason Lundquist: Department of Bioengineering, Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard S., Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
Alexis Adams: Department of Bioengineering, Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard S., Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
Thomas H. Culhane: Patel College of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Peter R. Michael: Department of Bioengineering, Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard S., Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
Jeffrey L. Pearson: Department of Bioengineering, Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard S., Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
Thomas M. Missimer: Department of Bioengineering, Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard S., Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-17

Abstract: Natural disasters in the United States frequently wreak havoc on critical infrastructure, affecting energy, water, transportation, and communication systems. To address these disruptions, the use of mobile power solutions like PowerKiosk trailers is a partial solution during recovery periods. PowerKiosk is a trailer equipped with renewable energy sources such as solar panels and biogas generators, offering a promising strategy for emergency power restoration. With a daily power output of 12.1 kWh, PowerKiosk trailers can support small lift stations or a few homes, providing a temporary solution during emergencies. Their key strength lies in their mobility, allowing them to quickly reach disaster-affected areas and deliver power when and where it is most needed. This flexibility is particularly valuable in regions like Florida, where hurricanes are common, and power outages can cause widespread disruption. Although the PowerKiosk might not be suitable for long-term use because of its limited capacity, it can play a critical role in disaster recovery efforts. In a community-wide power outage, deploying the PowerKiosk to a lift station ensures essential services like wastewater management, benefiting everyone. By using this mobile power solution, community resilience can be enhanced in the face of natural disasters.

Keywords: resiliency; natural disasters; wastewater lift stations; temporary residential power; power loss (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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