SkyBuilt Power, a US firm that develops mobile 'green' energy systems, has announced an investment from the CIA through its In-Q-Tel subsidiary.

SkyBuilt develops rugged mobile energy systems that can use any combination of sun, wind, micro-hydro, diesel and other energy sources.

One of SkyBuilt's systems is the Mobile Power Station, the world's first plug-and-play, modular, mobile power system, with over 100 patent claims filed for its 'drop and operate' design.

The Mobile Power Station sets up in hours and is a complete power system prepackaged in a standard freight container that can be shipped worldwide.

It can provide power from 3.5kW to 150kW or more at much lower fuel and maintenance costs than traditional fuel-based systems.

SkyBuilt chairman Bill Buck said: "SkyBuilt's power systems can provide power with no fuel.

"They can be used for backup, remote telecoms, an emergency operations center for disaster relief teams, water pumping, a mobile medical clinic to refrigerate medicines in developing countries, infrastructure security, village grids, border patrols or a classroom with internet service."