A medical provider at Ghazaliyah's recently-opened solar-powered clinic treats a child, Sept. 16, during the opening of the clinic. Photo by Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth

The sun has been known to work overtime in Iraq by creating dry, hot summers and long, sun-drenched days.

In order to help the Iraqi Ministry of Health provide for the citizens of the Ghazaliyah neighborhood, located in northwest Baghdad, the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team “Dagger,” 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division—Baghdad decided to take advantage of the sun’s rays.

The solar-powered New Iraqi clinic in northern Ghazaliyah, which provides for about 300 people a day, was reopened in a ceremony, Sept. 16.

The clinic, which used to receive an average of two hours of power per day because of the strain on the national power grid, gets its energy from the sun and receives power all day and all night.

“It’s important because this system that we’ve installed will power this clinic continuously whether or not the national grid is working,” said Bristol, Conn. native, Maj. Andrew Attar, joint project management officer, 2nd HBCT. “It gives the community here that utilizes this clinic healthcare 24/7.”

The clinic is the third and final solar-powered clinic project for the Dagger Brigade, which is scheduled to redeploy to Fort Riley, Kan. this month.

“It actually started well over a year ago when the brigade that preceded us ended up trying to put a power clinic in Ameriyah, a location that was isolated. It was a great clinic there but it needed consistent power,” said Col. Joseph Martin, commander of the Dagger Brigade. “From that we have learned and placed two separate systems in the Dahkel Clinic in Hurriyah and this one, the New Iraq Clinic in Ghazaliyah.”

Because the clinic is totally powered by the sun, vaccines can stay refrigerated and the air conditioner can take away some of the stress of the heat while patients are waiting to be treated.

“Even if it’s cloudy for the next three days, the system that we have emplaced here will still allow this clinic to have power 24 hours a day,” Martin said. “It allows the doctors to focus on their patients instead of focusing on what is supporting them in the system.”

Because the solar-powered clinics were well-received by the people, the Dagger Brigade placed solar-powered street lights in northwest Baghdad and Abu Ghraib to keep markets opened longer and are working on a solar-powered courthouse in Abu Ghraib.

Attar said there has been much success with the solar-powered streetlights.

“The street lights we’ve found to be extremely effective. It keeps families and people out at night shopping, socializing and it promotes safe neighborhoods,” he said. “When you have light at night the change is remarkable. People are out eating out at restaurants, they’re out shopping at night; kids are out playing in the streets. It makes the streets safer.”

As the government of Iraq continues to build a more efficient relationship with the people of Baghdad, solar-powered technology remains as an advantageous way to do business.

“The people of Baghdad have benefited greatly from our learning with this technology,” said Martin. “This allows them to have a continuous amount of power throughout the day or night.”

DVIDS
Story by Sgt. Dustin Roberts

Spc. Rachael Potts and an Iraqi engineer prepare to run dirty water through a solar-powered water filtration system at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Sept. 5. Photo by Pvt. Jared N. Gehmann, 82nd Airborne Division.

In an effort to provide a better quality of life for the citizens of Iraq’s Ma’dain region, U.S. paratroopers here put their time and energy into learning how to set up and operate a solar-powered water filtration system, Sept. 5.

Paratroopers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division- Baghdad implemented a self-powered, energy efficient water filtration system to provide the area’s residents fresh, clean drinking water. However, for this system to be effective, regional leaders need to be shown how it works.

That’s where Phoenix native, Spc. Rachael Potts, a water treatment specialist assigned to Company A, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, came in and put her knowledge to work to show some of the region’s engineers how to put the system to use.

“I got involved with this filtration system a few days ago while working on a reverse osmosis system,” said Potts. “But once I heard about this system, I wanted to see what it could do in order to help our Iraqi partners.”

The solar-powered system uses a series of hoses and filters to purify brackish or dirty water in areas where clean water is limited. The Ma’dain region, located on the outskirts of eastern Baghdad, is a vast, mostly desolate area were most water sources consist of dirty, mineral-filled wells.

The system can treat about 6,000 gallons of water a day. Despite its size, the system is also transportable in order to provide clean drinking water to even the most remote villages in the region.

“So far we have 25 of these systems to place all over the Ma’dain region in areas such as the towns of Narwan and Salman Pak,” Potts said.

During a demonstration of the solar-powered filtration system’s capabilities to local Iraqi engineers, Potts partnered with Abbas Hassan, the chief engineer of al-Nahywan Water Treatment facility, to demonstrate to Hassan’s fellow engineers how the system functions.

“The water filtration system is impressive because it solves both of the main problems we have right now, which is having access to clean water while also having a reliable power source to make the machine work and clean the water,” said Hassan.

Along with Potts, several combat medics assigned to the battalion’s Company C came out for the demonstration in order to receive hands-on experience with the system and witness the results of the water-cleaning process. To ensure the water was to the drinkable standard, the medics performed a series of quality assurance tests.

“It was amazing how much cleaner this water was after it ran through the machine,” said Spc. Wayne Terry, of Cartersville, Ga. “Clean water is a necessity for good health; bad water can be a leading cause of many health problems.”

U.S. and Iraqi leaders discussed their hopes of putting this system to use in the much-needed areas across in region in the near future. The system is also seen as a step in the right direction for the nation.

“We appreciate all the help the U.S. Army has given us in making our country a better place,” said Hassan. “As long as we keep pushing technology such as this solar- powered filtration system, I believe we will continue to accomplish our goals in rebuilding Iraq.”

DVIDS
By Pvt. Jared N. Gehmann, 82nd Airborne Division

Staff Sgt. Travers Brake, a cavalry scout platoon sergeant from Elkins, W. Va., assigned to 2nd Platoon, Troop C, 1st Battalion, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, points out the back of solar panels used to power a water-filtering pump as Sheikh Mohammed Shalal Syiar watches, Aug. 28. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

A series of intertwined, water-filled canals create a patchwork of green fields, abundant in crops near the section of al-Zooba, here, in Baghdad.

The intricate irrigation system provides essential water to the local farms but not to its inhabitants.

“Potable water makes the difference between getting disease. For us, it’s the difference between life and death,” said Spc. Stephen Palac, a combat medic, about the importance of available drinking water. “There are all kinds of bad organisms in that canal water which leads to lots of stomach problems.”

National Guard Soldiers of 2nd Platoon “Spartans,” 1st Battalion, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, visited one of five solar-powered water-purification pumps donated by U.S. Forces and Iraqi Security Forces to local Iraqis leaders in the area to fulfill the need for potable water.

“Before, the people got sick from the water,” explained Sheikh Mohammed Shalal Syiar, a local sons of Iraq leader, Aug. 28. “Then, we got our water from the pumping station, but it was difficult to get to and if the power was out, then no fresh water. The kids and young people need the water. Now, they come here by foot.”

The clean water from the local pumping station is their main source of water, when the electricity works. Since the neighborhood is at the end of the power grid, power failures are commonplace, said Staff Sgt. Travers Brake, a cavalry scout platoon sergeant from Elkins, W. Va., assigned to the Spartans. U.S. forces in the area recognized a need for portable water filters and filled that need.

“I have a schedule to run the pump,” said Mohammed. “Everybody in the area comes and gets water from here.”

According to Mohammed, about ten people come a day to get water and fill about 200 bottles.

“It’s a simple pump and a simple process,” explained Brake. “It’s very few moving parts and all solar powered. It’s got a battery bank and sucks power from the sun.”

Unfiltered water passes through a filter and out another tube, producing drinkable water.

“Security is number one and water number two,” said Mohammed.

Early in their deployment, the Spartan troops realized that taking care of the community and security are as intertwined as the canal system and the green fields.

“Specifically, this area is thankful to the U.S. forces,” said Mohammed. “They take care of the welfare of the families.”

“It shows we’re trying to help and not ask for anything in return,” said Palac. “It does help the security situation though. [The water pump] is a gift.”

In return, the Soldiers see increases in security gains and cooperation from the community.

“We’re real lucky in our area because the people are kind and respectful and we give that back to them and try to help out,” explained Brake. “They know we’re not here to harm them and we’re here to do good.”

Palac agreed, “It’s something that the kids see and think, ‘Hey, why don’t we try to improve this place too?’ But that’s up to them.”

The Spartans have done their part by bringing clean water to the community, providing security and building relationships. Now, as the young medic suggested, the rest is up to the people of Iraq.

MNF-I
Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

Ensuring energy use is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective helps to build Iraq’s security capabilities, a key infrastructure planner said here.

Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas N. Williams, an infrastructure planner for Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, said he’s found the best way to be environmentally friendly while saving costs is to ensure the highest possible degree of energy efficiency.

Three recent projects are good examples of how the command is weaving these various threads together, Williams said.

IMPROVED DISTRIBUTION
The first is an upgrade to the internal power generation and distribution system in Taji that will eliminate the need for more than 175 independent generators, consolidating their work to 25 generators operating in three sites. The ability to run fewer generators at peak power loads versus more generators at lower loads will increase efficiency by 40 percent to 80 percent, Williams explained.

“This should cut fuel demand nearly in half, saving an estimated $2.7 million per year in fuel costs,” Williams said. “Since fewer generators will be needed, there will be an additional $1.3 million per year saved in operation and maintenance costs.”

MAINTENANCE AND LOGISTICS
Another initiative is training conducted at 25 Iraqi Defense Ministry bases on the proper maintenance and operation of power generators. Training topics included fuel-consumption reduction, load balancing, preventive maintenance, leak detection, proper collection and disposal of used oil and hazardous material handling procedures.

“By employing these practices, the Iraqis can reduce their fuel consumption, pollute less and achieve higher energy efficiencies,” Williams said.

RENEWABLE ENERGY
The third endeavor is alternative-energy pilot projects. A contract has been awarded to provide a solar-powered water well at the Bashir border fort that will eliminate the need and the cost of trucking in water and fuel. On this same contract, a solar-and-wind alternative energy project is planned for the Shiha border outpost to provide power for lights, outlets, communication and security.

“These pilot projects will help determine the feasibility of such programs for Iraq, and possibly serve as models for future Iraqi green energy projects,” Williams said. “Energy-efficient projects can help support recent Iraqi security gains. We’ve found that good environmental practices and cost-effective approaches are complementary to our goal of assisting Iraqis to build their security infrastructure.”

DVIDS

Mahdi Jonny, an electrical engineer with the Joint Projects Management Office, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, checks the wiring on a series of solar panels on the roof of the New Iraq Health Clinic in Gazaliyah, Aug. 12. Photo by Sgt. Joshua Risner, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

The roof of the New Iraq Health Clinic here in the Gazaliyah district looks a little different from the buildings surrounding it. Two rows of solar panels, collecting the bountiful Mesopotamian sunlight, now provide the building’s power through solar powered battery systems.

The addition is part of an ongoing effort by the Joint Projects Management Office (JPMO) of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, according to Maj. Andrew Attar, from Bristol, Conn., the JPMO chief.

“The solar panel project started in April, but like most of the clinics in Baghdad, various American funding sources have gone into it over the years,” said Attar. “The solar panels help to augment the electrical grid which is improving every day but still not consistent enough for a medical facility.”

Solar power has greatly improved operations inside the clinic, which services the local area, according to Attar.

“It pretty much powers the entire clinic,” he said. “We’ve had to reduce the number of refrigerated air conditioning units, but in their place we put air units that have less energy needs and still provide cool air.”

The JPMO inspected the solar power system to ensure that it was working efficiently and correctly, Attar explained.

“We inspected the [solar] panels but more importantly we inspected the internal wiring within the clinic to make sure the loads are properly segregated,” he said. “Some rooms require a lot of energy, some rooms require very little energy, so that is one of the finishing touches – if it’s not done right, it’s a problem. We’re making sure that a room requiring a lot of energy has the proper wiring so it can handle the load.”

Attar added that the quality assurance/quality control aspect of the project is equally important.

“Our job is to make sure that the money that the American tax payers are spending is used in accordance with the statement of work agreed upon by us and the contractors,” he said. “We don’t pay until the work’s done right.”

The New Iraq Health Clinic is the third clinic in Baghdad to receive solar powered battery systems, according to Attar.

DVIDS
By Sgt. Joshua Risner