Low-cost Modular Battery Arrays for Stable and Renewable Energy for Health Services
THE CHALLENGE
Maintaining electricity supply for life-saving health services is a continuous challenge in conflict-affected settings such as Syria where energy supplies are commonly disrupted or destroyed. Renewable energy systems and backup electricity for when diesel generators cannot be used are prohibitively expensive and not versatile enough for humanitarian purposes. Without adequately mobile, sustainable, and low-cost options for electricity storage and supply, health facilities risk interruption to life-saving activities.
THE SOLUTION
To improve the availability of backup electricity and promote the use of renewable energy systems across Syria’s healthcare facilities, Vatan Derneği developed a new modular battery array which is low-cost, locally sourced, and mobile. Working in partnership with local health directorates, the team installed battery arrays across 46 healthcare facilities and connected them to vital equipment, providing life-saving services to approximately 280,750 total patients per month. The newly developed battery arrays were found to be 30% cheaper than the previously used, imported versions, introducing important cost savings to a highly resource-constrained environment. To create a foundation for sustainability, the team also trained 165 health workers (i.e., technicians, doctors, and administrative staff) in the target healthcare facilities on the use of the new modular battery arrays.
