Civil Affairs Group looks to alternative power in Now Zad

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

03.18.2011

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – The civil affairs team, from 4th Civil Affairs Group attached to Regimental Combat Team 8, are investigating a way to produce green energy for the citizens of Now Zad District, Helmand province.

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, coalition forces.

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 call for electricity rises, the system can be expanded to meet demand.

“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" 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.

• Date Taken: 03.18.2011
• Date Posted: 03.18.2011 07:27
• Story ID: 67276
• Location: KABUL, AF