Power to the victims
A new product is being developed in the USA named the Solarial. It is a large airship that has the top layer of the balloon covered with photovoltaic cells to provide a supply of electricity to a power unit on the ground. In addition to this is a reversible propeller/wind turbine that again will provide clean energy to people on the ground. With so many people in the world in disaster zones, this would be a great way of providing relief energy and a communication link for the victims below.
Unlike other airships, the Solarial is filled with hydrogen rather than helium gas that is heavier, more volatile, and fast running out. Hydrogen is a renewable gas that will also fuel the hydrogen power cells designed to continue providing power at night or when the sun is low. The lower part of the airship has two dilation panels that expand as fuel buffer zones. Unlike other airships that have deaths associated with them, including the Zeppelin, this is an unmanned ship that can be inflated and put to use within hours to provide clean energy to victims of disasters.
Designed by Andrew Leinonen as a solar powered power station for an undergraduate industrial design thesis he won a first place prize in the 2008 ACIDO rocket show. Work continues on making the prototype ready for field test later in 2008.
