Disaster response unit delivers power, water and communications to stricken and remote areas

In response to the dismal Hurricane Katrina response, Ecosphere Technologies has produced a portable solar- and wind-powered disaster response unit to provide clean water, electricity and comunications services in stricken areas where key utilities are cut off.

The Ecos LifeLink is a portable building structure that can be erected temporarily or semi-permanently in areas where clean water, electricity and communications have been cut off. It's designed for use in disaster relief and remote locations, and is completely self-contained, drawing power from a large array of solar panels and an optional wind-driven turbine generator.

Inside the Ecos LifeLink The Ecos LifeLink solution represents a combination of patent-pending products including the Ecos Power Cube, a mobile solar generator, and the Ecos Com Cube, a wireless communications platform. Deployed as two 20-foot Power Cubes, the Ecos LifeLink delivers:

Portable Power: The foundation of the Ecos LifeLink system is the Ecos Power Cube. The Power Cube has a unique patent pending array of stacked solar panels, which when deployed and extended on site provide a photovoltaic surface area of approximately 1000 sq feet. The solar energy system can provide 16KW of clean electricity to power the water filtration processes and the satellite communications system components. An optional wind turbine can also be used to generate additional power.

Critical Water Supply: The 30 gallons per minute water filtration module is capable of converting arsenic-, bacteria- and waste-laden ground water into water suitable for drinking, cleaning, and cooking. The water produced meets the World Health Organization's standards for clean drinking water.

Reliable 24/7 Communication: Centered around the Ecos Com Cube, the communications control room is equipped with a satellite communications and electrical power management system that leverages the energy generated from LifeLink's renewable energy sources to provide electricity and power a full range of wireless VSAT, VOIP and wireless communications capable of handling thousands of phone calls and offering wireless connectivity for a range of up to 30 miles.

"Ecos LifeLink is revolutionary in the fact that it will use only the power of the sun and wind to create and store the energy needed to run water filtration components, pumps, or motors," said Jean Michel Cousteau, Ecosphere spokesperson, ocean pioneer and leading environmentalist. "LifeLink can be used to provide water and electricity for a small village. Multiple systems could be used throughout a village to power its school, water system, buildings, and communications systems."

The company have also released a water purification truck that can be sent to areas reachable by road to provide clean water.