Modular open-source solar photovoltaic-powered DC nanogrids for ambulances
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Authors | Md Motakabbir Rahman Sara Khan Koami S. Hayibo Joshua M. Pearce |
| Location | London, ON, Canada |
| Status | Designed Modelled |
| Verified by | FAST |
| Years | 2025 |
| Uses | renewable energy |
Ambulances are vital to pre-hospital emergency care, yet many in isolated communities lack a full complement of electric powered medical devices. An approach not fully developed in the literature is to provide power to medical equipment in isolated communities is to apply modular solar photovoltaic (PV)-powered direct current (DC) nanogrid systems to provide uninterrupted power supply for mini-mobile clinics or ambulances. This study aims to i) integrate this modular DC nanogrid into ambulances, ii) analyze the estimated loads and iii) optimize the sizes of PV modules and batteries using the physical constraints of the ambulance and simulations with the Solar Alone Multi-Objective Advisor (SAMA) for representative locations in the global north and south (London, Ontario, Canada and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). The results of this study found the rooftop integrated solar-powered DC nanogrid can supply critical power for the instruments inside the ambulance or mini clinic throughout the day without requiring grid power even with the ambulance moving. In Addis Ababa, a DC nanogrid system with a single 175-Watt (W) PV module and a 2- kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery bank is sufficient to meet an ambulance’s annual energy demand while providing the necessary voltage levels (6 V, 12 V, and 24 V) for onboard medical devices. This alternative PV system offers higher efficiency and reliability, making the proposed solution both sustainable and economically viable for remote healthcare applications.
Highlights
[edit | edit source]Solar-powered ambulances improve healthcare access in remote regions.
- Modular nanogrid systems provide scalability and customization options.
- Flexible PV panels can decrease total costs by 8.3%.
- Addis Ababa’s 175 W PV with 2-kWh battery meets annual medical equipment demand.
- Sensitivity analysis assesses PV loss due to shading from 10% to 100%.
See also
[edit | edit source]- Modular Open Source Solar Photovoltaic-Powered DC Nanogrids with Efficient Energy Management System
- Open-source Hardware Design of Modular Solar DC Nanogrid
- Open-Source Design of Solar-Powered Picnic Table for Outdoor Device Charging
- Open-Source DC-DC Converter Enabling Direct Integration of Solar Photovoltaics with Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer for Green Hydrogen Production
- Open-Source DC-DC Converter Enabling Direct Integration of Solar Photovoltaics with Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer for Green Hydrogen Production
- Open Source Scientific Bottle Roller
| Authors | Joshua M. Pearce |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Organizations | FAST, Western |
| Cite as | Joshua M. Pearce (2025–2026). "Modular open-source solar photovoltaic-powered DC nanogrids for ambulances". Appropedia. Retrieved June 13, 2026. |