Improving remote communities through hybrid-powered communications
Earlier this week, the White House announced a $42 billion plan to make high-speed broadband access universally available in the U.S. by 2030. This announcement follows many others that demonstrate the commitment of government funds to bridge the digital divide. There’s a reason why: reliable broadband connectivity is essential for equitable opportunity, work, education, healthcare, and safety.
However, there are headwinds to the rapid expansion of critical communication networks. In this blog, we’ll share some of these challenges and how renewable, hybrid power is the path to building these vital connections for rural communities.
We Need a Network. Where’s the Power?
Telecom and WISP providers can’t expand their networks without power. This means bringing networks to remote, rural areas is more difficult. In this case, renewable energy is more than a modern, sustainable option: it’s the path to power where this is none. In locations where isolation, weather, and other conditions expose all kinds of systems to greater risk, one source of power is never adequate. Hybrid power systems like HCI’s Hybrid Power Shelter combine renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power with modern battery storage technology for maximum network uptime.
Improved Quality of Life through Reliability
When communications are more reliable, the communities that rely on them benefit. They are essential for adequate education and increased economic opportunity. These communities depend on these systems to improve their quality of life and ability to succeed. By using a smart power management system like HCI Energy’s Zero-Glitch Power Module (ZPM), you optimize the coordination of renewable, traditional, and external power sources ensuring continuous uninterrupted power.
Uninterrupted Power with Remote Monitoring
Some hybrid power systems, like HCI Energy’s ZPM, include remote monitoring and maintenance capabilities. These help identify and address issues with the system before they cause downtime or other problems. More predictive and efficient maintenance and repair mean that the community has less communications downtime and doesn’t need to spend as much on sending technicians for maintenance or worse, repairs.
The Ripple Effect of Reliable Communications
With a reliable source of power, communication infrastructure can be more easily expanded to reach more rural areas. The ripple effect occurs when greater connectivity reaches more underserved communities, improving access to everything from education to healthcare, and economic development to social connections.
The benefits of hybrid power for communications can reach every corner of a remote community, worksite, or region. If you’re looking for new ways to improve the reliability, cost, and satisfaction in remote locations, HCI has a wealth of ideas derived from years of experience and successful installations in some of the most remote places and harshest environments in the world. We look forward to continuing to help improve communities by providing flexible, future-proof hybrid power.
HCI Energy: Ready. Reliable. Renewable.
HCI Energy provides continuous, turnkey, eco-friendly energy for critical missions around the world. We combine the latest in power technology and renewable sources to ensure round-the-clock, uninterrupted power that lowers operational cost while facilitating crucial business and community operations.
