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Abstract Objectives: To determine if solar-powered battery systems could be successfully used for electricity-dependent medical devices by families during a power outage. Methods: We assessed the use of and satisfaction with solar-powered battery systems distributed to 15 families following Hurricane Maria in rural Puerto Rico. Interviews were conducted in July 2018, 3 mo following distribution of the systems. Results: The solar-powered battery systems powered refrigeration for medications and prescribed diets, asthma therapy, inflatable mattresses to prevent bedsores, and continuous positive airway pressure machines for sleep apnea. Despite some system problems, such as inadequate power, defective cables, and blown fuses, families successfully dealt with these issues with some outside help. Almost all families were pleased with the systems and a majority would recommend solar-powered battery systems to a neighbor. Conclusions: Families accepted and successfully used solar-powered battery systems to power medical devices. Solar-powered battery systems should be considered as alternatives to generators for power outages after hurricanes and other disasters. Additional research and analysis are needed to inform policy on increasing access to such systems. 

Although electricity transmission systems are typically very robust, the impacts that arise when they are disrupted motivate methods for analyzing outage risk. For example, N-k interdiction models were developed to characterize disruptions by identifying the sets of k power system components whose failure results in “worst case” outages. While such models have advanced considerably, they generally neglect how failures outside the power system can cause large-scale outages. Specifically, failures in natural gas pipeline networks that provide fuel for gas-fired generators can affect the function of the power grid. In this study, we extend N-k interdiction modeling to gas pipeline networks. We use recently developed convex relaxations for natural gas flow equations to yield tractable formulations for identifying sets of k components whose failure can cause curtailment of natural gas delivery. We then present a novel cutting-plane algorithm to solve these problems. Finally, we use test instances to analyze the performance of the approach in conjunction with simulations of outage effects on electrical power grids.