Enhancing Resiliency of Integrated Space-Air-Ground-Sea Networks with Renewable Energies: A Use Case After the 2023 Türkiye Earthquake

TL;DR

The paper addresses the fragility of terrestrial communications and energy systems exposed by Türkiye's $7.7$ and $7.6$ magnitude earthquakes, proposing an integrated space–air–ground–sea network that leverages HAPS, satellites, D2D, and energy enablers (RES, BESS, EV). It introduces two management strategies—pre-disaster sustainability and in-disaster resiliency—and demonstrates, via simulation, that HAPS-based solutions can rapidly restore coverage across the affected region, with Ka-band links offering higher QoS than S-band. The work provides a concrete architectural framework and actionable design principles for disaster-resilient networks, including joint energy and communication planning and backhaul diversification (RF/FSO, satellite, HAPS). Its findings have practical implications for emergency response, infrastructure planning, and future 6G-enabled disaster management frameworks that prioritize sustainability and rapid recovery.

Abstract

Natural disasters can have catastrophic consequences, a poignant example is the series of $7.7$ and $7.6$ magnitude earthquakes that devastated Türkiye on February 6, 2023. To limit the damage, it is essential to maintain the communications infrastructure to ensure individuals impacted by the disaster can receive critical information. The disastrous earthquakes in Türkiye have revealed the importance of considering communications and energy solutions together to build resilient and sustainable infrastructure. Thus, this paper proposes an integrated space-air-ground-sea network architecture that utilizes various communications and energy-enabling technologies. This study aims to contribute to the development of robust and sustainable disaster-response frameworks. In light of the Türkiye earthquakes, two methods for network management are proposed: the first aims to ensure sustainability in the pre-disaster phase and the second aims to maintain communications during the in-disaster phase. In these frameworks, communications technologies such as High Altitude Platform Station(s)(HAPS), which are among the key enablers to unlock the potential of 6G networks, and energy technologies such as Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs), and Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been used as the prominent technologies. By simulating a case study, we demonstrate the performance of a proposed framework for providing network resiliency. The paper concludes with potential challenges and future directions to achieve a disaster-resilient network architecture solution.

Figures (4)

• Figure 1: Proposed integrated space-air-ground-sea network topology with energy and communication solutions.
• Figure 2: Methodology 1 for pre-disaster.
• Figure 3: Methodology 2 for in-disaster.
• Figure 4: CDF of received power at the ground terminals for a HAPS-RAN communication in the whole affected region.