Subscribe
NOW ZAD - Going green is a growing trend that has been spreading throughout the world for over a decade. It could mean a lot more than clean air and minimal emissions for the people of Now Zad, Afghanistan. It could be a reliable and affordable way for Now Zad’s people to get energy to their homes and businesses.
The civil affairs team, from 4th Civil Affairs Group attached to Regimental Combat Team 8, are investigating a way to produce electricity for the citizens of Now Zad.
The new system, provided by Sustainable Energy Services Afghanistan, is a hybrid grid of solar panels and diesel fuel generators that can be run throughout the residential and industrial areas of Now Zad.
“Representatives from SESA said that shop owners pay an estimated $10 a day to run diesel generators instead of the estimated $1 a day from solar-generated power,” said Lt. Col. Erik Jilson executive officer for Civil Affairs Detachment, Regimental Combat Team 8.
The local residents will have a credit card that can be loaded with money and then in return they run the card through a machine, located in their home or business, to prepay for the electricity.
The system is also adaptive, meaning that as the demand for electricity rises, the system can be expanded upon, growing with the demands of the area.
“I think it is going to be a great improvement here,” said Capt. Gregory Hudgins, the assistant team leader for Civil Affairs Team 8. “It will be a good sign that development is moving at a fast pace in Now Zad.”
The project is only in its developing stages and the city is just beginning to look at adopting the system. According to Hudgins, the district governor is ‘very interested’ and has ‘big plans’ for when the system is installed in the city.
“From cradle to grave, this whole process should be about seven to eight months in the works,” explained Hudgins.
The hybrid system is designed to take advantage of the frequently sunny skies of Afghanistan, but is operational in overcast weather and during the night as well.
“By electrifying the town it is going to bring more people back to Now Zad,” said Hudgins. “It will provide a more stable environment for growth and security.”
An initial survey has also been conducted by SESA and an RCT 8 civil affairs team in the District of Delaram. If successful these projects could be a source of revenue for the district governments.
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2011 00:13 |
| Story ID: | 66447 |
| Location: | NOW ZAD, AF |
| Web Views: | 101 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Now Zad receives alternative power, by Cpl Clayton Vonderahe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
