Santa Barbara County Strengthens Emergency Preparedness with Renewable Mobile Power

Overview

As California faces more frequent wildfires, severe storms and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) sought a reliable way to keep critical community services operating when the electrical grid is unavailable.

In May 2023, the County unveiled its first Sesame Solar Mobile Nanogrid Emergency Response Trailer—a rapidly deployable, self-generating energy system designed to provide critical off-grid power during disasters. The Mobile Nanogrid gives residents access to electricity for medical devices, communications and essential services while reducing reliance on diesel generators and vulnerable fuel supply chains.

Challenge

Santa Barbara County faces a variety of natural hazards, including wildfires, extreme storms and planned utility shutoffs that can leave entire communities without electricity for extended periods. Extended power outages create significant challenges for emergency managers and residents alike. During emergencies, communities often need access to electricity to:

• Support first responders and emergency operations.
• Charge phones, laptops, radios and communication devices.
• Power electric wheelchairs and other medical equipment.
• Refrigerate life-saving medications.
• Access emergency information and public updates.

County leaders wanted a rapidly deployable solution that could support emergency responders and residents wherever outages occurred while advancing the County's sustainability and resilience goals. The system also needed to be accessible, mobile and simple enough for emergency personnel to deploy quickly.

Solution: Sesame Solar Mobile Nanogrids

Using funding from California's Community Power Resiliency Allocation Program, Santa Barbara County partnered with Sesame Solar to deploy a Mobile Nanogrid designed specifically for emergency response.

The Nanogrid trailer features: 

• Solar power generation.
• Battery energy storage.
• Hydrogen fuel cell technology.
• Rapid deployment with power generation in approximately 15 minutes.
• Off-grid, energy independent operation without diesel fuel.
• Multiple power outlets for public and emergency use.
• Accessibility features, including a wheelchair-accessible loading ramp.
• Workspace and communications equipment for emergency operations. 

Designed in collaboration with Santa Barbara County emergency officials, the trailer includes several features requested by the County, including wheelchair accessibility via a tailgate ramp, multiple charging stations, refrigerated storage for medications, onboard communications capabilities and public information displays. 

The Mobile Nanogrid can be positioned at parks, community centers, grocery stores or other gathering locations to provide immediate power and an emergency resilience hub during disasters. During “blue sky” time periods when there are no emergencies or storms, Santa Barbara’s Mobile Nanogrid serves as an educational asset at community preparedness events.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to be more prepared for emergencies, but also to have a very visible asset for the community to see what the county is doing,” said Brandon Kaysen, the county’s general services energy manager. “This is a wonderful resource for us to have a further commitment to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resiliency for Santa Barbara.”

‍

Impact

Santa Barbara’s Mobile Nanogrid strengthens energy resilience for more than 440,000 residents, providing reliable off-grid power to support emergency operations and critical community services when the electric grid is unavailable. 

• Rapid Emergency Response—The Mobile Nanogrid can begin producing renewable electricity in approximately 15 minutes, allowing emergency personnel to establish resilient power wherever it is needed most. 
• Reliable Off-Grid Power—Santa Barbara’s Mobile Nanogrid provides energy-independent electricity even when the utility grid is unavailable, helping maintain critical services during disasters.
• Community Support During Emergencies—Residents can safely:
  
  • Charge cell phones and electronic devices
  • Power electric wheelchairs and medical equipment
  • Refrigerate temperature-sensitive medications
  • Receive emergency information and updates from county officials
• Sustainable Emergency Response—Unlike conventional generators, the Mobile Nanogrid operates quietly with renewable energy generated from solar panels, battery storage and hydrogen fuel cells, reducing emissions while eliminating dependence on fuel deliveries during disasters.
• Increased Community Resilience—The Nanogrid not only strengthens emergency response capabilities but also serves as a public demonstration of resilient energy infrastructure at community events, helping educate residents about preparedness and renewable energy solutions.

‍

“The goal is to provide a resource to our community during power outages and disasters that hopefully increases the resilience of the community.” Kelly Hubbard, Director, Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management

‍

Key Outcomes

• Continuous power for emergency communications and field operations. 
• A scalable, replicable model for resilient disaster response. 
• Renewable energy generated using solar, hydrogen and battery storage.
• Rapid deployment in approximately 15 minutes.
• Supports emergency communications and community resilience.
• Eliminates reliance on diesel generators and vulnerable fuel supply chains.
• Provides power for medical devices, communications and critical community. services during outages.
• Designed for deployment during wildfires, severe storms and other emergency events.

Conclusion

Santa Barbara County views the Mobile Nanogrid as a long-term investment in emergency preparedness and clean energy resilience.

For emergency management agencies, utilities and communities seeking resilient, off-grid power, the Santa Barbara deployment demonstrates how Mobile Nanogrids can improve continuity of operations while supporting residents when reliable electricity matters most.