Power on the Mountaintop Zinc-air batteries and solar panels create microgrid for emergency radio in National Park Like most public wilderness areas, Great Smoky Mountains National Park depends on maintaining a series of communications relay stations to allow park rangers and other first responders to remain in touch across a large area. These stations are often remote, located on mountain tops above steep, heavily forested terrain in the 816-square mile park, one of largest protected wilderness areas in the Eastern US and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Supplying electricity for the equipment using overhead wires connected to the grid is a costly and difficult task. The lines can run for many miles, requiring considerable infrastructure and a utility right of way to serve a si

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