LENEXA, Kan. (June 7, 2019) — This week, HCI Energy participated in the Missouri National Guard’s Vigilant Guard Exercise to showcase the importance of technology that can provide reliable energy even in worst-case-scenario situations. The Hybrid Cube was used to demonstrate how quickly its combination of renewable resources can power everything from satellite communications to transportation to water purification in disaster relief response efforts.
Held in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., the exercise, also referred to as Shaken Fury, involved state and federal partners to test response planning for a potentially catastrophic “no-notice” 7.7 magnitude earthquake scenario in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Its purpose was to simulate a real-world natural disaster to improve collaboration efforts among regional, local and civilian partners that assist in emergency preparation, coordination response and recovery management. The event represented the culmination of several years of planning and preparedness activities involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Central United States Earthquake Commission (CUSEC), U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Northern Command, state and local governments, and organizations from the private sector.
“In the event of a natural disaster, community lifeline systems can be rendered inoperable if reliable back-up power isn’t available. This week, the Vigilant Guard Exercise put the true value of our Hybrid Cube technology on display, showing how it addresses everything from power outages, fuel shortages, and water filtration needs to critical communication requirements of first-responders and disaster relief agencies, regardless of environmental conditions,” said Ray Ansari, founder and CEO of HCI Energy. “This exercise proved what we know to be true — that our technology is well positioned to meet basic human needs and help individuals and communities survive and thrive in the aftermath of a natural disaster.”
Shaken Fury began May 29, simulated as the rupture day, followed by seven days in the response phase with the final two days, June 6 and 7, representing the long-term recovery phase at 60+ days out from rupture. This timeline helped participants identify any gaps in resources and determine how to enhance the coordinated recovery strategy both immediately upon impact and in the months ahead.
“The Hybrid Cube is poised to make an impact throughout the life cycle of disaster response and recovery beginning on day one. Its proprietary combination of wind and solar energy with integrated battery storage and DC generator technology, along with its fuel-agnostic design, allows it to provide continuous power anywhere, even in a location facing devastation from Mother Nature. Our goal is to use this solution to help speed recovery efforts and ultimately save lives in the process,” said Joe Heller, president of HCI Energy.
Shaken Fury 2019 is a part of a series of linked exercises conducted by other Federal Agencies and partners throughout the year. These exercises are a key component of national preparedness; they provide stakeholders from across the whole community with the opportunity to shape planning, assess and validate capabilities, and address areas for improvement. For more information, view a copy of the FEMA Factsheet summarizing the event.
Based in the Kansas City area, HCI Energy, LLC embraces the core values of accountability, respect and technical competency. HCI Energy applies these core values while meeting customer needs with excellence in both product and service. Led by Founder Ray Ansari, long-time energy industry executive and an electrical engineer by trade, HCI Energy works diligently to find innovative ways to solve problems that affect individuals and industries across the globe. For more information, visit hcienergy.com.