Solar Powered WiFi Grids and

Disaster Mangement

Bruce Baikie – Marc Pomerleau

www.green-wifi.org

Green WiFi solar powered WiFi nodes (SoFis) deliver Internet access and communications to areas and situations where power is nonexistent, unreliable or an alternative to the electric grid is preferred.

Primary Focus: Digital Inclusion

households with electric lighting (% of total)

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Asia Pacific 74.42 74.56 74.65 74.77 74.81

Middle East and Africa 40.55 40.8 41 41.21 41.25

Latin America 85.13 85.29 85.4 85.54 85.62

# of people with limited access to electricity

2.5-3billion

Disasters Shrink the Gap Between Developed and

Developing Worlds.

Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Hurricanes, Terrorists and other bad things...• Disaster Communications needs:

– Fast deployment– Power grid independence– Mobility/portability– Node power management and control– Ruggedized design

When Disaster Strikes, Power Paramount

Functional Considerations:

– Engineering – Cost– Design

www.green-wifi.org