Tesla and Google come to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico's aid
Hurricane Maria has had its toll on Puerto Rico. Majority of the area still lacks power, there's an acute shortage of running water and the communication services are in a disarray. According to US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), over 83% of the cell sites are still non-functional. However, now there is help at hand, thanks to Google's parent firm Alphabet's Project Loon. Here's more.
Alphabet to the rescue
Project Loon was envisioned by Alphabet in 2013 to provide Internet to remote areas by using solar-powered, high-altitude balloons. The Internet is transmitted to a specially-created 'balloon' from Alphabet's on-ground telecommunications partner, which is relayed across several balloons and then is channeled back to the users on the ground. FCC has given a thumbs-up to the company to deploy this technology at Puerto Rico.
Getting communications back
With the help of Project Loon, Alphabet will be able to "support licensed mobile carriers' restoration of limited communications capability" in Puerto Rico. Also, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said that a Hurricane Recovery Task Force is being set up to bring communication services back in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Pai said, "It's critical that we adopt a coordinated and comprehensive approach."
Musk says rebuilding power grid is possible
Meanwhile, our favorite tech maverick Elon Musk has also risen up to the challenge saying that it'd be possible for his firm, Tesla, to rebuild Puerto Rico's power grid. Musk tweeted replying to a query, "The Tesla team has done this for many smaller islands around the world, but there is no scalability limit, so it can be done for Puerto Rico too."
Rebuilding the Power Grid
Tesla is working on it
Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello had responded to Musk's tweet saying that he will get in touch. Later he tweeted, "great initial conversation with @elonmusk tonight. Teams are now talking; exploring opportunities. Next steps soon to follow." Musk will be sending battery installers by diverting resources from Tesla's ongoing project to "increase battery production for Puerto Rico & other affected areas," he tweeted.
