Energy Prep 1

Badge Summary

The Energy Preparation Merit Badge - Greenie Level is designed to introduce individuals to the basics of energy preparedness for short-term emergencies. This badge focuses on ensuring that a family has access to essential energy sources and can meet basic energy needs for 7 days during an unexpected event or crisis.

By earning this badge, you will learn how to:

  • Assess your family's essential energy needs
  • Identify and prepare alternative energy sources for emergency use
  • Understand basic electrical safety in emergency situations
  • Conserve energy during a crisis
  • Maintain and safely store energy-related emergency supplies

This badge serves as a crucial first step in ensuring your family's energy security during short-term emergencies and lays the groundwork for more advanced energy preparedness skills.

Preparation Category
Level
Greenie
Merit Badge Counselor
Changed
5 months 1 week ago
Requirements

To earn the Energy Preparation Merit Badge - Greenie Level, complete the following requirements:

  1. Create a list of your family's essential energy needs for a 7-day period. Include lighting, communication devices, and any critical medical equipment.
  2. Assemble an emergency lighting kit with at least three different non-electric light sources (e.g., flashlights, lanterns, candles). Demonstrate proper use and maintenance of each.
  3. Acquire and learn to safely use a portable power station or generator capable of powering essential devices. Demonstrate its proper setup and operation.
  4. Create a power outage plan for your home, including steps to take immediately when the power goes out and how to safely manage during an extended outage.
  5. Assemble a basic electrical emergency kit including spare batteries, power banks, and a multi-tool with wire cutters/strippers.
  6. Learn and demonstrate how to safely shut off utilities (electricity, gas, water) in your home during an emergency.
  7. Develop an energy conservation plan for use during a power outage. Include at least five specific measures to reduce energy consumption.
  8. Research and explain the pros and cons of three alternative energy sources suitable for emergency use (e.g., solar, wind, biomass).
  9. Build a simple solar phone charger using a small solar panel and demonstrate its use.
  10. Conduct an "electricity-free evening" with your family, using only your emergency energy supplies. Discuss the experience and any insights gained with your counselor.
Counselor Recommendations

Product Recommendations

  1. Portable Power Stations:
    • Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station
    • Goal Zero Yeti 200X Portable Power Station
    • Anker 521 Portable Power Station
  2. Emergency Lighting:
    • Energizer LED Lantern
    • Etekcity LED Camping Lantern (4-pack)
    • UST 30-Day Duro LED Lantern
  3. Solar Chargers:
    • BigBlue 3 USB Ports 28W Solar Charger
    • Anker 21W Dual USB Solar Charger
    • Goal Zero Nomad 10 Solar Panel
  4. Power Banks:
    • Anker PowerCore 26800 Portable Charger
    • Jackery Bolt 6000mAh Power Bank
  5. Emergency Radios:
    • Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Weather AM/FM Radio
    • RunningSnail Emergency Hand Crank Radio

Knowledge Resources

  1. Books:
    • "When the Grid Goes Down: Disaster Preparations and Survival Gear For Making Your Home Self-Reliant" by Tony Nester
    • "Prepper's Total Grid Failure Handbook" by Alan Fiebig
  2. Online Resources:
  3. Video Series:
    • "DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse" on YouTube

Additional Resources

  1. Multi-tool:
    • Leatherman Wave+ Multitool
  2. Battery Organizer and Tester:
    • The Battery Organizer Storage Case with Tester
  3. Portable Gas Generator (for more advanced needs):
    • Honda EU2200i Portable Inverter Generator
  4. Solar Generator Kit:
    • Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Power Station + 2 Boulder 200 Solar Panel Kit

Comments and Recommendations