By Dr. Erich Merkle
An Attack with Massive Consequences
The incident revealed just how fragile modern energy supply really is: a handful of targeted attacks on key nodes is enough to plunge a metropolis into chaos. Experts warn that nationwide, disabling as few as ten central grid nodes could paralyze the entire country. The message is clear: electricity is not just a convenience—it is the foundation of health, safety, and social stability.
Why Diesel Generators Are No Longer an Answer
Traditionally, diesel generators have been the fallback in crises. But their limitations are increasingly obvious: supply is uncertain during disasters or conflicts, costs can skyrocket—as seen in Afghanistan deployments, where transport and security raised prices above €100 per liter—and runtime is severely constrained by tank size and stockpiles. Added to this are CO₂ emissions, fine dust, and noise—problematic both in cities and in field operations. Diesel remains an emergency tool, but it is not a future-proof solution.
Mobile Photovoltaics with Hybrid Storage – A Paradigm Shift
Photovoltaics have made tremendous progress in recent years: higher efficiencies, falling costs, more powerful storage solutions. This has given rise to new systems—mobile, containerized PV units with battery storage, optionally supplemented by diesel as a backup. They can be deployed within hours or days, transported by truck or rail, and provide autonomous supply for extended periods.
System sizes range from small units for disaster relief and medical emergencies, to medium systems for hospitals and waterworks, up to large-scale installations that can secure entire districts or data centers. In these concepts, the diesel generator shifts from primary supplier to reserve source.
A Wide Range of Applications – From Civil Protection to the Military
In the civilian sphere, municipalities can establish so-called “disaster relief beacons”: schools, town halls, or fire stations that guarantee power, heat, and communication even during blackouts. Hospitals and nursing homes can protect vital equipment, water and sewage pumps remain operational, and communication infrastructures such as cell towers or emergency radio stations can be selectively secured.
On the military side, new options emerge: field camps become less dependent on fuel convoys, command centers ensure reliable IT and satellite communications, medical facilities can operate without diesel supplies, and in remote regions, mobile PV-hybrid systems extend reach and enhance security.
More Security, Less Dependency
The transition brings decisive advantages: it lowers costs and risks, as every liter of diesel saved eases supply chains. It reduces emissions and noise, strengthens independence from fossil supply lines, and carries strong symbolic weight—a resilient energy supply demonstrates capability in times of crisis and builds trust.
International Experience Confirms the Benefits
In Ukraine, mobile PV storage containers kept hospitals, schools, and military facilities running during attacks on the power grid. In Puerto Rico, following Hurricane Maria in 2017, solar containers became a vital tool for disaster relief. The German Armed Forces and NATO are already testing first systems to ease logistics and supply.
Market Potential for the PV Sector
The demand for resilience solutions is growing rapidly. In Germany, billions of euros are flowing into disaster relief beacons and critical infrastructure protection. NATO and the EU expect procurement volumes of over €10 billion by 2035. NGOs and development organizations are seeking sustainable energy hubs for refugee camps and crisis regions. For the PV sector, this opens a new market segment at the intersection of energy and security industries—with the potential to replace diesel as the dominant technology.
From Climate Policy to Security Strategy
The Berlin incident shows: two burning pylons can disrupt the lives of 50,000 people. Photovoltaics with hybrid storage are therefore not just an element of the energy transition, but a strategic resource for security and resilience. For the industry, this means a double benefit: contributing to climate protection while simultaneously becoming the backbone of emergency supply—both civilian and military.
