Report Number

FSEC-PF-431-08

URL

http://publications.energyresearch.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FSEC-PF-431-08.pdf

Keywords

Photovoltaics; Disaster Planning; Disaster Relief; Renewable energy; Emergency management; Renewable Energy Disaster Relief Fund; Energy resources

Abstract

In a disaster, support and utility services are damaged or destroyed leaving people without electricity, water, sanitation, and communication. Thousands of people from emergency management agencies and volunteer organizations are deployed to help after a disaster to provide life support and basic services. In this response effort, energy resources and services are lacking, making recovery efforts difficult in our high-tech world. In response to this problem, the National Energy Foundation and the Florida Solar Energy Center have formed the Renewable Energy Disaster Relief Fund (REDRF).

REDRF will collect donations from the general public, businesses, and various organizations through a variety of methods as do other disaster organizations, but with the goal of providing renewable energy resource powered equipment needed by survivors of a disaster in the United States. The funds will be used to purchase renewable energy hardware (such as PV panels and wind generators) to power necessary equipment for first response efforts after a disaster, ideally within the first 3 weeks after an event until utility services are restored. A team of trained REDRF first responders in collaboration with local disaster area organizations will a hundred different disaster related organizations providing some type of disaster relief.

Ninety-five percent of the disaster response effort is for life support and welfare. Water, food, and medical services are the first critical needs, followed by shelter. Response and recovery efforts are difficult to perform without electricity. Hospitals, fire stations, police departments, pharmacies, and grocery stores need power to provide life, health and deploy certified renewable powered equipment to the disaster site. The process will be guided by an advisory board composed of renewable industry, research institute, and disaster organization representatives to assure that cost effective and viable renewable resources are deployed to meet disaster survivor needs.

Date Published

4-23-2008

Identifiers

413

Subjects

Disaster relief; Emergency management; Fund raising; Poor--Energy assistance

Local Subjects

Disaster Planning; Disaster Relief; Photovoltaics

Type

Text; Document

Collection

FSEC Energy Research Center® Collection

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Rights Statement

In Copyright