Ad Support : Nano Technology Netbook Technology News Computer Software
Excess power from off-grid cellphone towers could be used to chill vaccines and water purification and save 5 million lives a year by 2015 This would be saving about 9% of the 54 million deaths that happen worldwide each year.
According to the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union, approximately 75 per cent of the world’s rural inhabitants are now covered by a cellular signal and close to 100 per cent will have coverage by 2015.
The industry trade association, GSMA, estimates that by 2012 there will be 639,000 off-grid cell towers in the developing world.
Cold-chain refrigerators require a minimum of 8 hours of electricity a day, and even the most energy-hungry models require no more than 2 kilowatts of power. Off-grid cell towers produce about 5 kilowatts of excess power on average, so this should be achievable with no negative impact on the cellphone network.
Network operators (through initiatives like the GSMA Community Power program) are already exploring ways of using their surplus tower power to charge mobile handsets, household batteries and rechargeable lanterns. They also recognise the potential for powering entire villages.
If cell towers can provide the energy for water purification and are then integrated with transportation projects, clean water could be made available to all rural locations in developing countries.
If you liked this article, please give it a quick review on Reddit, or StumbleUpon. Thanks
Supporting Advertising
Business Success
How to Make Money
Executive Jobs
Paid Surveys
Thank You
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.