How the Voltstack ecosystem helps local communities during emergencies

Off-grid power is crucial during emergencies when the grid fails or becomes unavailable. Over the last 20 years, there has been an unprecedented rise in the number of extreme weather events and all signs point to things getting worse in the future. The frequency of extreme weather events, like hurricanes, heatwaves, and wildfires, underscores the need for reliable, mobile power to help cope with these challenges. In addition to causing disruptions and slowing down economic activity, extreme weather events are incredibly expensive. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) division, there were 18 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events in 2022 alone!

The Voltstack ecosystem of silent, emission-free power stations can – and has – played a key role in helping communities cope with climate-related disaster events or emergencies. Apart from providing emergency backup power for lighting, heating and communication, electric generators or battery energy storage systems can power medical devices, refrigerators and other equipment vital for survival and recovery. The Voltstack ecosystem has proved its resilience and versatility in the field.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence and Michael in 2018, nearly 286,600 North Carolinians were without power. At the time, we worked with relief organizations including the Red Cross to see how our Voltstack 5k electric generators could help rebuild people’s homes.

“This (having Voltstack 5k units) was great because we had to assume there was no power in widespread areas. Getting fuel in disaster areas is extremely difficult so it was fantastic to use the solar panels and unit to power tools inside, with no noise or fumes,” says Guy Morecraft, a volunteer with the Cajun Army.

“We were using a gas generator to power the work in our home, but within a day I was already feeling sick from the emissions,” says Rae Riley, a North Carolina resident affected by the flooding.

In February 2020, we entered into a charitable partnership with Stanley Black & Decker to provide renewable electricity to Casa Guatemala. The partnership aimed at helping the charitable organization replace its fossil fuel generators with the Voltstack ecosystem. The Voltstack power stations were invaluable on two separate occasions. First, when Casa Guatemala’s primary fossil fuel generator broke down. Had the Voltstacks not been there at the time, more than 300 residents in Casa Guatemala would not have had access to clean water or rations. Later in November 2020, tropical storms, Eta and Iota, ravaged Guatemala causing flooding and dozens of catastrophic landslides in November of that year. During that time, Voltstacks provided emergency backup power.

In October 2020, we partnered with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States, to make Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events smarter and enhance the safety and preparedness of local communities in connection with the 2020 wildfire season. During PSPS events that year, our Voltstack 5k battery energy storage stations powered oxygen concentrators, dialysis machines and other medical devices. David Kuntz, a resident affected by the PSPS event caused by the wildfires, spoke to us about his ordeal and talked about how the Voltstack 5k electric generator helped.

In 2020, a single Voltstack 5k power station powered a vaccine fridge owned by HealthCode Medical Inc. during a 12-hour power outage. Also in 2020, Alberta Health Services and Hamilton County used our Voltstack 5k portable power stations to provide backup power for COVID vaccine fridges and for off-grid pop-up COVID testing tents respectively.

In 2022, the City of Petaluma purchased a Voltstack 30k electric generator. It was purchased with the intention of powering the local community center in the event of a power outage. “The community centre serves as an emergency hub,” says Patrick Carter, Assistant to the City Manager. “beyond just charging devices during an emergency, we could even charge EVs during a grid outage. The flexibility and mobility of the Voltstack 30k make it a versatile asset in the service of our community.”

“Petaluma has and will again serve as the primary jurisdiction for sheltering Sonoma County residents evacuating from wildfires,” says Drew Halter, Director of Parks and Recreation, manager of the Petaluma Community Center. “During these events, outside of the shelter, medical attention, food and water, having access to power as essential lifelines of communication to monitor events, contact loved ones, and coordinate mutual aid with other services providers has been absolutely critical to ensuring our city is able to care for our larger community. Also, the ability to power mobile shower units, outside lighting or run auxiliary food services should indoor facilities become damaged or without power increases our resiliency to respond to both immediate and longer-term needs.”