A power generator that not only produces electricity but also refrigeration and water could help fulfill basic survival needs when disasters such as Hurricane Katrina wipe out utility stations. The heat-operated refrigeration system, developed by University of Florida engineers William Lear and Sherif A. Sherif, could offer a new paradigm for power companies that typically build large plants to service thousands of customers.Instead, the closet-sized generators would produce power, water and air conditioning for smaller communities such as apartment complexes, hospitals and warehouses — even neighborhoods. It is compact enough to fit inside a military jet or large truck, and is designed for use in war zones, hurricanes or other disasters.

The generators would be owned by the local utility company and connected to the power grid. And unlike large backup generators that are turned on only during emergencies, the University of Florida machines would run regularly to augment electrical needs during peak load demands, such as in the summer, and also work as backup generators during blackouts.

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