Skybuilt Power receives patent for its “MPS” (mobile power station)

We first learned about these from Haninah Levine’s piece in Defense Tech, which had reported that they were under consideration for field use in Iraq

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skybuilt-power-mps-schematic.jpg

From the firm’s press release:

This is a revolutionary, plug-and play, rapidly deployable, mobile, hybrid solar and wind power system. It can provide power in hours and run for years with very low maintenance and minimal operating costs. It is ideal for disaster relief, Homeland Security, commercial, military, and intelligence applications in any climate worldwide.

The MPS is self-contained in its own freight container or other housing, or on a trailer or skid. It produces 500W to 150MW of clean, green power. It can integrate various energy sources, ranging from green energy such as solar, wind, and micro hydro; to fuel-based power, such as diesel, propane, natural gas or JP-8 generators. “Smaller systems can set up in hours and run for years with no fuel, and virtually no maintenance or logistics,” noted SkyBuilt’s Chairman, Bill Buck.

According to the Haninah Levine Defense Tech piece, the firm received some financing from the CIA; according to the firm’s site, the Army and Marines have each purchased some.

So we have a couple of questions – which we’ll try to get answered shortly.

  • How many has FEMA bought and pre-cached? (Yes, it’s a leading question)
  • How much do they cost?
  • Have any NGO’s or community-based organizations acquired any?
  • Is this the only firm making a portable solar pod?

The other obvious application is as power for communications equipment – particularly cell towers and repeaters – and for critical medical equipment – although in many of those applications, portability isn’t so much an issue.

More as we learn about it.