The Power Gap in Rural Schools
While power outages aren’t very common in many areas of Australia, there are issues with providing electricity to some rural areas[2]. As technology advances, education becomes more efficient. However, when rural schools can hardly have access to the tech, it makes it hard for educators to ensure learners get the education they need.
This brings us to the power gap that rural schools in the country currently face. We’re going to take a look at the major problems that are hitting these schools and areas at the moment.
Lack of Reliable Electricity in Rural Areas
The reliability of electricity supplies in rural areas is often questionable. When there are frequent downtimes and power failures, it’s going to have an impact on the community.
The same goes for cases where electrical lines cost a lot of money to be laid to homes. This is often the scenario that people face as rural areas continue to develop. It limits the community’s ability to ensure everyone has equal access to electricity.
Consequences of Power Outages on Education
When there are power outages or the electricity supply is unreliable, it’s going to have an impact on education in rural schools. These buildings often require lighting to ensure students can read their textbooks and take notes without any problems.
As we’re in a technological era, many schools are using laptops and computers to ensure students can take notes and work on projects easily. Cloud technology, for example, makes it easier for students to continue homework at home.
If there’s no electricity, it means computers can’t turn on, and the lights stay off. This will have an effect on every student’s ability to get the education they’re looking for. Poor quality education leads to low scores at the end of the trimester.
The Need for Sustainable and Portable Power Solutions
The issues that we just discussed bring up a really important matter. There’s a critical need for sustainable power solutions in Australia’s rural areas. It’s not just about using sustainable power, though. These solutions need to be portable.
This is also exactly where a portable power supply using solar panels comes into the picture. These systems allow schools to operate from virtually any location and keep the power on. However, there have been some challenges that rural areas faced in the past when it came to implementing this type of power solution.
The Role of Portable Power Supplies
You should now have a better idea of the issue that electrical interruptions pose to education in Australia. To solve this issue, we need to look at portable ways to provide power to those rural areas that have a lack of proper electricity supplies.
In this section, we'll shed more light on the role that portable power supplies have on the education system. The focus here is to address issues faced not only by rural schools and educators but also by students who attend these establishments.
Definition and Types of Portable Power Supplies
A portable power supply is essentially a compact device that can produce electricity. There are different types of these power stations.
A couple of years ago, traditional generators were sometimes used in cases where a portable power supply was needed. However, this doesn’t really solve all the issues. A generator that uses gas or diesel emits gases. They make a lot of noise, and there are many limitations to what they can power up.
Portable power supplies in the modern day turn to renewable and sustainable sources of energy. Solar power is a very popular example. It uses sunlight and turns it into a usable form of energy. The energy is stored in a battery and you can then use it whenever you need it.
Accessibility and Affordability of Portable Power Solutions
One issue that has been interfering with the ability to get portable power solutions out to rural areas for quite some time is both accessibility and affordability.
Fortunately, the tech used to convert sunlight into energy has improved significantly in the last couple of years. This has also led to these devices becoming not only more affordable, but also more accessible to rural areas.
Several companies are creating these devices with affordability in mind. While it’s still going to take an initial investment, it’s important that you don’t overlook the long-term benefits and cost-effectiveness that a portable power supply can offer.
Versatility in Catering to Different Energy Needs
Something that a portable power supply offers that traditional energy supplies cannot provide is versatility. The great thing about these energy solutions is the fact that they come in many different models, sizes, and designs.
When you want to implement this type of system in a classroom or provide it to a student who studies at home, the first step is to determine the energy requirements. This is dependent on the number of devices that the power station will need to carry. If it's only a light, a laptop, and some other basics, then there are portable solutions out there that perfectly fit these needs.
In cases where an entire classroom needs a power solution, more powerful systems can help to deliver on these requirements. Even though more powerful, you’ll notice that these systems are still able to give the classroom or house the energy it needs to power up important devices.
Benefits of Using Portable Power Supplies in Education
We’ve talked about the current power gap that rural schools face in the country. We also considered the role that a portable power supply can play in helping to ensure education is available in these areas. Now, we’re going to consider some of the main advantages that come with the use of a solar panel and power bank in the education sector.
Improved Educational Technology Access
Tech is now playing a big part in education. Students are able to take notes and store them on the cloud. Certain programs make learning easier and more interactive. There are also cases, such as when a student wants to study IT, where technology becomes essential.
These devices require power to run. When the traditional electricity supply is unreliable, it can lead to delays in allowing students to access important data and programs on a computer.
When there’s a portable charging station, interruptions in electricity can be avoided. The integration of this system will ensure power outages won’t affect the ability of students to continue learning.
Extended Learning Hours
A portable power station Australia can also help students get extended learning hours. Consider a scenario where a student is preparing for an examination. They need to learn at home, but with no or interrupted electricity, it’s difficult for them to do so in the evening.
When the student gains access to a portable power supply, they have the ability to put the lights on and even turn on their computer. This can help to give students more learning hours at home.
Even in the classroom, having the ability to provide lighting to students, as well as access to the devices they need to learn, can have a similar effect. Longer learning hours can lead to more successful outcomes once students write tests and exams.
Facilitation of Distance Learning
Distance or remote learning is nothing new. Over the last couple of years, it has become a much more viable option. This is especially true for people who are already working during the day. They want to get a promotion or pursue a better career. However, they need the right education.
With a solar generator for home, students are able to learn no matter where they live. These systems can power up a computer, lights, and even ensure there’s an active internet connection in these houses.
Educators can also take advantage of a portable power supply to ensure they’re able to provide support to students who are learning remotely.
This means the solution offers benefits that are useful to both parties when it comes to online learning. Educators can send assignments, study notes, tests, and other resources to the student. The student, on the other hand, is able to easily access these resources and use them to get the education that they’re looking for.
Adaptability in Temporary or Mobile Classrooms
There are several cases in rural areas where mobile or temporary classrooms need to be established. Perhaps the school is undergoing repairs or renovations. In mobile cases, these classrooms may be established to help extend the number of students a school can educate. However, getting electricity with the traditional means to these classrooms can be a challenge.
This is an area where a portable power supply can also be very useful. When you implement this kind of power supply in a mobile classroom, there’s no need to worry about getting an electrician to lay new electrical cables toward the area of the classroom (which is extremely costly).
With this power supply, even if the classroom needs to move, it’s easy to pack up and take the station to the new area. With your traditional electrical cables, the process would not be so easy.
Recommended Jackery Solar Generators for Rural Schools
While several renewable energy options are available for rural schools, there are lots of things to take into consideration. This includes affordability and cost-effectiveness, especially in the long term. You also have to take note of the different brands that make these power stations.
Jackery has been in the industry for a long time. With a focus on making renewable and “green” energy more accessible, we have been doing this part in reducing the environmental impact of traditional power sources. There are a couple of options from Jackery that would be a great fit for rural schools. We’ll outline two of the best choices below.
1. Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
We’ll start with the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus, a particularly powerful option from Jackery. This generator is ideal for larger rural schools that need to power up multiple lights, as well as other devices.
There are several options available when buying the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus. This includes the base model and additional battery packs, as well as 6 Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panels to help quickly charge up the station in 6 hours. Apart from the basic package that offers a solar energy generation solution, there’s a 4kWh and 12kWh choice for more advanced needs.
The system offers an expandable capacity that can reach up to 12kWh. It comes with a LiFePO4 battery, which ensures a 10-year lifespan. The generator has been awarded the High FCC/CE certifications and and UL certifications as well. You can conveniently control the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus with the Jackery app.
2. Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro is a more compact solution. It’s great for mobile classrooms and temporary establishments in rural areas. It comes in different packages, with either 80W or 100W Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels included with the power station.
The system has a capacity of 1002Wh and a 1000W output, with a 2000W surge. It comes with a durable and long-lasting battery, the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro's max capacity will still be at 80% after 10 years of use. It charges all essential appliances during power outages and for off-grid living with a dual 1000W PD design delivering steady power. The lightweight design also makes it an ideal solution for students who opt for remote learning. What’s more, it takes less than 1.8 hours to get fully charged through an AC adapter. It helps to ensure unreliable electricity options in rural areas won’t affect the student’s ability to complete their studies.
Conclusion
Some rural schools in Australia are facing a power gap. This can affect the school’s ability to offer proper education to students. With a portable power supply, classes can continue while using the right technology to help students succeed in the studies they take on. The usefulness of these solutions spans past the classroom, as they can also enable students to learn remotely from home in these areas.
References
- One in five Australians lack ‘basic’electricity protections against issues such as disconnections during heatwaves. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/05/one-in-five-australians-lack-basic-consumer-electricity-protections-research-finds (Accessed: 5th, July)
- Powering the bush: Problems and solutions in rural Western Australia. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-06-12/powering-the-bush-problems-and-solutions-in-western-australia/8598768(Accessed: 5th,July)
