An automated microprocessor-based uninterruptible, for a predetermined amount of time, communications and telemetry system, comprising:
- a communication and telemetry server (CTS) that:
- uses a microprocessor communicatively linked with at least one sensor to perform at least one of:
- non-intrusively monitor, record, report, or respond to real-time operating parameters of key elements of an electrical grid;
- detects anomalies that indicate failure or imminent failure of a grid element by evaluating measured changes in at least one of the operating parameters of the key elements of the electrical grid including at least one of:
- external case temperature, electrical input and output parameters which include voltage, current, and/or phase angle, ambient temperature, vibration, surrounding levels of ozone and other gases, or remote visual inspection using a camera;
- supplies continuously available voice, video, and/or data communications in an emergency when electric power and/or communication networks have failed or are not accessible, using at least one of:
- wifi, cellular, satellite, radio frequencies, or powerline carrier, to persons located in an emergency zone proximate to the electrical grid, and/or to first responders, authorities, or others located more remotely that need to communicate with the persons;
- establishes critical communication channels between and among the plurality of users, first responders, authorities or others, wherein some of the critical communication channels are encrypted and prioritized;
- in response to the failure of the grid element, transmitting information including performance characteristics of the grid element and/or local conditions in the emergency zone proximate to the electrical grid, as recorded by the microprocessor from sensor data gathered immediately before, during and after the failure, to at least one selected user;
- in response to specific conditions including a loss of power from the electrical grid, the CTS responds to the loss of power by automatically disconnecting the CTS and power supply of the CTS from the electrical grid and continue to operate independently on a self-powered basis;
- enable wireless communication and network telemetry data to be transmitted to, from, and between the plurality of users;
- and
- wherein the communication and telemetry system consumes substantially no net energy from the electrical grid due to at least one of:
- solar power and electricity storage, one or more onboard fuel cells, or power-generating components that contribute electricity into the electrical grid during normal operation.