R&D Focus
E-CUBE Provides Power Anytime, Anywhere
In early July, a typhoon struck Southern Taiwan, causing widespread power outages across the region. In response, ITRI quickly deployed E-CUBE, a mobile power system, to the affected areas. Designed for rapid emergency support, E-CUBE provided essential electricity for charging mobile phones, powering medical devices, and meeting basic lighting and communication needs. Its timely deployment enabled residents to stay connected and access critical services during the prolonged power shortages.
The folding design of E-CUBE enhances its high mobility and enables rapid deployment.
One resident shared that E-CUBE enabled them to charge a phlegm suction machine, which is vital to their child’s health during the outage. This moment underscored the system’s life-saving potential in emergencies, offering more than just convenience, but critical support when it was needed most.
E-CUBE is a modular and scalable mobile solar energy storage solution that integrates photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, and low-carbon backup power. The system is housed in a box-like booth, with solar panels mounted on its top and walls. When in operation, the four walls of solar panels unfold to form an extended roof surface for maximum solar capture. Once retracted, the walls collapse inward and the booth transforms into a compact cubic container. This foldable design allows E-CUBE to be highly portable, as it can be easily transported and stored when not in use.
“E-CUBE can operate as an off-grid power system, providing emergency electricity with a capacity of up to 4.5 kW,” said Chao-Yang Huang, Deputy Division Director of the Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories, ITRI. “It is scalable for various scenarios, including outdoor markets, remote communities, emergency events, or disaster relief sites. Its rapid deployment of clean power also supports our goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions,” he added.
E-CUBE delivers critical charging power to communities during electricity outages.
E-CUBE offers three main features:
- Rapid deployment of a low-carbon microgrid: E-CUBE can be quickly set up to form a distributed green power supply system.
- Modular design with flexible expansion: Both energy storage capacity and solar module configurations are adjustable to meet diverse application needs.
- Intelligent energy management and high system stability: The built-in energy management system optimizes load balancing and ensures a stable power supply through intelligent control of energy storage and generation.
This self-contained mobile solution is ideal for areas not covered by the main power grid and those affected by power disruptions. With its smart green power management and robust design, E-CUBE helps ensure the continued operation of essential infrastructure and strengthen community preparedness for disaster response. In doing so, it contributes to both energy sustainability and greater societal resilience.