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Zéphyr Solar: An autonomous solar balloon bringing electricity to disaster zones

Zéphyr is a photovoltaic balloon and eco-friendly generator created by Karen Assaraf, Julie Dautel, and Cédric Tomissi, and their France-based start-up EONEF. The autonomous aerial platform takes the form of a helium balloon. Operating individually or as an aerial observation network, the solar-powered balloons can be deployed in under an hour, can fly to 30 days at a time, are capable of withstanding winds of 43 mph (70 kph), and can fly at great altitudes.




The EONEF balloons can be used for a wide range of sustainability initiatives. They are being incorporated in scientific missions like observing wildlife, measuring air quality, and can be used to promote coordination during a disaster. It is easily one of our favorite sustainable innovation projects to come out of France in recent years.

We've reached a critical point with regards to climate change, and many innovators and businesses are stepping up to the plate to build a greener future

Tags

sustainable cities, early-stage technology, sustainable development, climate change, intertek, bbeb

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