Solar-powered keyboard and mouse are nothing new to the industry, but Lenovo wants to take the gauntlet further. At CES 2024, the Hong Kong-based consumer electronics giant revealed a unique keyboard and mouse combo that uses mechanical movement and solar irradiation to power things up. That means, no need to worry about changing batteries or exposing your peripherals to natural light.
The concept props up from the limitation of solar panels on cloudy days or in darker rooms without much ambient light. The mouse comes with a crank at the bottom while the keyboard has a kinetic dial on the top left corner. So, as you read an article on the internet you could channel your anxious vibes into charging the battery of the combo peripherals.
Designer: Lenovo
Still in the concept stage, the creation dubbed “Mechanical Energy Harvesting Combo” also gets solar panels on the keyboard to take advantage of natural or room light. I find the spinning dial on the keyboard to be more practical than the crank on the mouse which required more conscious effort. According to Lenovo, for five minutes of spinning, the keyboard gets another 30 minutes of added battery charge.
Lenovo has got all bases covered as there is a USB-C port on the back for times when you prefer the surety of manual wired charging. Other than that there is a customary three-position switch for toggling the RF dongle, wired USB, or Bluetooth connection.
For the mouse, Lenovo chose an embedded ring on a pivot that can be raised and then rotated for the crank motion. A minute of winding gives around 30 minutes of charge time. Quite an effort though, but still something different that Lenovo has tried to create. As for the regular specifications, the software-programable mouse to 12,800 dpi has a good in-hand feel. There are the scroll buttons, side snipping button, resolution switcher, shortcut buttons and toggle switch.
There is no word yet if this concept combo will make it to the commercial market, still, it’s highly plausible if Lenovo manages to fit in more functionality and hardware innovation. I’m pretty sure the keyboard seems like a good bet but the mouse crank motion needs to graduate into something more practical.
Power interruptions wait for no season, and the desire to enjoy an outdoor escape doesn’t have to happen only in summer. Whether it’s trying to live comfortably off the grid or trying to survive days-long blackouts, you will undoubtedly need electricity to not only charge gadgets but to also power important appliances or even critical medical devices. In this day and age, gasoline-chugging generators are no longer saviors but safety hazards, putting humans and nature at risk for just a few hours of electricity. What you need is a reliable source of clean, safe, and green power, even when the mains are completely out for days. Portable solar power stations come in all shapes, sizes, and prices, so here are 10 of the best options in the market that will help you enjoy a comfortable and healthy life, whether you’re spending a few days camping or waiting for the power grid to come back up.
1. Bluetti AC500 Modular Power Station and B300S Expansion Battery
If you need more expandable power, the Bluetti AC500 has you covered with its 5000W AC pure sine inverter and 10kW surge, allowing you to plug in almost anything you need. The B300S expansion battery delivers 3,072Wh of power, and you can combine 6 of these for a total of 18,432Wh, enough to run your whole house on quiet and safe energy for days. You can even connect two sets of AC500 power stations and B300S batteries for a staggering 36,864Wh (stacking limited to low-pressure areas only), allowing you to live off the grid even at home.
Click Here to Buy Now: $4789$5598 ($809 off. Additional $10 off with coupon code “YDCODES10”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bluetti AC500 + B300S combo delivers unparalleled flexibility in how much power you want to use without skimping on performance.
What we like
Go from 3,072Wh to 18,432Wh to 36,865Wh, depending on how much power you need
16 versatile outlets to cover all kinds of devices and appliances
Sustainable power anywhere with solar charging up to 3000W maximum input
What we dislike
Requires an expansion battery to use (included in this bundle)
2. Bluetti AC300 Modular Power Station and B300 Expansion Battery
Gone are the days when power stations were just single boxes with fixed battery capacities. With the Bluetti AC300 and its 3000W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter, you get to decide just how much power you want to buy or need to bring on a trip. And with the bundled B300 expansion battery, you get 3,072Wh of power right off the bat. Use it as a 24/7 home backup or have it ready for action in your RV, the Bluetti AC300+B300 will deliver all the power you need to keep your computer running, your phone topped up, and your food hot, no matter where you are.
Click Here to Buy Now: $2589$3798 ($1199 off. Additional $10 off with coupon code “YDCODES10”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Why is it noteworthy?
The modular Bluetti AC300 + B300 combo lets you enjoy uninterrupted power, whether you’re living off the grid or going through a power outage.
What we like
Can be expanded with up to 4 B300 batteries for a whopping 12,288Wh of power
16 versatile outlets and 7 ways to charge, including dual AC and AC+Solar
Safe and reliable LiFePO4 battery with 3,500+ life cycles to 80%
What we dislike
Requires an expansion battery to use (included in this bundle)
3. Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station
Modularity has its perks, but if you want a standalone unit you can use immediately, the Bluetti AC200L aims to please with its built-in 2,048Wh battery and 2400W AC output. It doesn’t, however, give up its extensibility, and you can connect up to two B300 batteries for an additional 8,192Wh of power on the fly. Whether you need to run a 150W fridge for a day or use a 40W CPAP for nights on end, this portable power station will be your dependable partner anywhere.
Click Here to Buy Now: $1399$1699 ($200 off. Additional $100 off with coupon code “YD100”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station immediately delivers 2,048Wh of power but can still be augmented by expansion batteries to cover all your emergency or outdoor electricity needs.
What we like
Standalone but expandable design
Fastest charging 2kWh power station with 80% in just 45 minutes
Portable design for easier transportation
What we dislike
Supports only a maximum of 2 expansion batteries
4. Bluetti AC200MAX Expandable Power Station and B230 Expansion Battery
The Bluetti AC200MAX puts out maximum power right off the bat, with its 2,200W output and 2,048Wh capacity, allowing you to use the unit without having to fiddle with external batteries. With a B230 expansion battery, however, you can double that power to handle coffee makers, grilles, and even air conditioning units without missing a beat. And you don’t have to skimp on charging options, either, supporting super-fast dual AC charging so you can get up and running sooner.
Click Here to Buy Now: $2388$3097 ($699 off. Additional $10 off with coupon code “YDCODES10”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bluetti AC200MAX Expandable Power Station, paired with a B230 Expansion Battery, delivers the flexibility you need to face life’s unexpected power problems as well as planned outdoor adventures.
What we like
Powerful 2,200W output and 2,048Wh capacity, expandable with up to 2 battery modules
Supports super-fast dual AC as well as simultaneous AC and solar charging
16 versatile outlets to cover all devices and appliances
What we dislike
5. Bluetti AC180 Solar Power Station
“Portable” sometimes no longer means what it originally meant, but the Bluetti AC180 still sticks to the dictionary definition with its 16kg weight and convenient carrying handles. Despite a smaller size, it doesn’t fail to deliver the power you need with an 1800W output and 1,152Wh (AC180) or 1,440Wh (AC180P) battery capacity. That’s enough to charge MacBook Pros for 15 to 19 times, power a mini fridge for around 6 hours, or even a portable 1500W air conditioner for about 4 hours.
Click Here to Buy Now: $644$999 ($350 off. Additional $5 off with coupon code “YDCODES5”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bluetti AC180 Solar Power Station delivers a good balance between power and portability, allowing you to enjoy modern conveniences anywhere without burdening your arms.
What we like
Compact, portable design
1440W Turbo Charging reaches 80% in 45 minutes
Go green with 500W max solar charging input
What we dislike
6. Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station
Just because you don’t always go camping or don’t experience frequent power outages doesn’t mean it will never happen. With the Bluetti AC70’s 768Wh capacity and 1000W output, you will always be ready for life’s twists and turns without having to invest too much in heavier and more expensive equipment. Whether you need an emergency power backup at home for brief interruptions or a reliable off-the-grid power source, this portable power station has you covered.
Click Here to Buy Now: $499$599 ($100 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station offers peace of mind with a solid power backup for casual users and short-term emergencies.
What we like
85OW Turbo Charging, 80% in 45 minutes
500W Fast Solar Charging, 2 hours to full
Compact and portable design
What we dislike
7. NEW Bluetti EP800+B500 Home Battery Backup
There are already dozens of portable power station options already available, but there’s always room for new choices and upgrades to cater to more needs and use cases. The all-new Bluetti EP800 moves away from outdoor applications and focuses on providing a complete home battery backup and energy storage system. With 7600W output and a 9.9kWh capacity provided by two B500 battery modules, you have enough power to support even high-voltage appliances, let alone computers, mobile devices, and entertainment systems you need to live comfortably.
Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $6989 ($10 off with coupon code “YDCODES10”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bluetti EP800 and B500 batteries offer a complete home battery backup and energy storage to let you slash costs and live off the grid in comfort and confidence.
What we like
Modular design supports up to 19.8kWh capacity with 4 expansion batteries
Easily integrates with your home power system
Kicks in within 20ms of a power interruption for non-stop power supply
What we dislike
Requires an expansion battery to use (included in this bundle)
8. Bluetti AC2A Portable Power Station and PV120 Solar Panel
With all the gadgets and devices we carry around, a simple power bank definitely won’t cut it when you need to stay away from power outlets for more than a few hours. With its 300W (600W surge) output and 3.6kg weight, the Bluetti AC2A upgrades the portable battery experience with a power station that can even run a few small appliances. And you don’t even have to worry about charging the power station itself with fast solar charging that lets you top it up anywhere you are.
Click Here to Buy Now: $399$548 ($149 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bluetti AC2A offers an alternative to conventional power banks when you need a reliable and versatile power source for multiple devices on the go.
What we like
Lightweight design with an ergonomic carrying handle
200W solar input charges to 100% in 1.5 hours
6 outlets cover most devices and appliances
What we dislike
204.8Wh capacity might be insufficient for some use cases
9. Bluetti B300 Expansion Battery
With modular power stations, you have the freedom to only buy or bring the exact amount of batteries you need, maximizing cost, convenience, and power efficiency. The Bluetti B300 Expansion Battery delivers all of this with its 3,072Wh capacity that works with most of Bluetti’s Expandable Power Stations. Best of all, it can actually be used as a 100W power station on its own, charging mobile devices and even laptops in a pinch.
Click Here to Buy Now: $1599$1999 ($400 off with coupon code “B300BF”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bluetti B300 isn’t just an add-on battery to expandable power stations, it’s also an independent and portable power station in its own right.
What we like
Can be used as a standalone power station with 1 USB-C port, 1 USB-A port, and 1 12V DC outlet
Supports solar charging with max 200W input
What we dislike
No function to check remaining charge
10. Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station
The Bluetti EB3A might look small, but its 600W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter and 268Wh battery capacity prove it’s no slouch. That’s enough power to get through a day of outdoor fun or get you through a night in the darkness of a power outage. And when it comes to charging the power station itself, you’ll only need an hour and a half to get it to full through a wall socket or 2 hours using the power of the sun. Its 9 outlets will cover most of your needs, including a wireless charging pad for your phone.
Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $198$299 ($101 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station crams all the clean and green energy you need in a portable package and still manages to throw in a few sweet extras to boot.
What we like
Compact and portable design
6 charging methods, including simultaneous AC and Solar
In the quest for sustainable energy solutions, New World Wind has unveiled its revolutionary Aeroleaf Hybrid technology—a micro-wind turbine shaped like a tree, combining the forces of wind and solar energy to provide a clean and unlimited power source. This innovative approach not only meets the growing demand for electricity but also addresses environmental concerns associated with traditional energy production methods.
Designer: New World Wind
The conventional methods of electricity production, often reliant on burning fossil fuels, contribute to environmental degradation and climate change. New World Wind’s Aeroleaf Hybrid offers a compelling alternative by seamlessly integrating wind and solar power. The tree-shaped turbines are equipped with rotating leaves that capture wind energy, complemented by solar panels at the base, ensuring a continuous and efficient energy production process.
New World Wind draws inspiration from the beauty of nature, ensuring that the Aeroleaf Hybrid blends harmoniously with both urban and green landscapes. Unlike conventional wind turbines and solar panels, these tree-shaped energy generators appear as if they naturally grew in their surroundings. This unique design feature allows for a more aesthetically pleasing integration into various environments.
New World Wind’s commitment to green energy is evident in its global installations. The first Aeroleaf Hybrid, welcomed in Birmingham, UK, stands tall on a hill, showcasing its ability to harness wind and solar power in unison. The collaboration with Tom Tits Experiment, a science museum in Sweden, further emphasizes the technology’s versatility and its potential to power significant institutions with clean electricity.
A variant of the Aeroleaf Hybrid without Solar Panels
Recognizing the diverse energy needs of consumers, New World Wind offers three variations of the Aeroleaf Hybrid—Wind Tree, Wind Palm, and Wind Bush. The Wind Tree, with its numerous rotating leaves, is suitable for larger spaces and can even serve as a multifunctional lamp post or charging station for electric vehicles. The Wind Palm and Wind Bush cater to different scales, providing flexibility for installation in various settings, from public gardens to smaller neighborhoods.
New World Wind’s Aeroleaf (Hybrid) technology is based on a patented micro-wind turbine with a leaf-shaped double blade and a vertical axis. This synchronous micro-generator with permanent magnets allows for installation in diverse locations, including rooftops, terraces, pylons, and low-wind areas. The technology, with a single Aeroleaf generating a minimum of 300 watts, has already been deployed in 130 locations worldwide, spanning countries like Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Portugal, Nigeria, France, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
Apart from its functional benefits, the Aeroleaf Hybrid also offers a customizable experience. Consumers can choose from various color options, allowing the turbines to seamlessly integrate with their surroundings. This level of personalization enhances the technology’s appeal and further encourages the adoption of green energy solutions.
By mimicking the elegance of nature, this technology not only provides a sustainable energy source but also exemplifies the potential for beauty and functionality to coexist in our pursuit of a greener tomorrow.
The global climate crisis is an ongoing, and worsening, part of everyday life. As a global phenomenon, it is now undeniably pushing the needle on everything from agricultural collapse to global civil unrest, due largely to society’s dependence on CO2-emitting fossil fuels for transportation, heating, and electricity. But there’s always hope. Sustainable design is growing more and more prevalent in efforts to combat global climate change and lessen the resulting destruction of our one and only livable planet. Take this solar-powered aircraft or this sustainable coffee cup-turned-planter as recent examples of sustainable design pervading product design on a macro and micro level.
Green energy is a huge (and rapidly growing) part of sustainable design, but one of the key issues with large-scale green energy production – drawing mostly or entirely from natural energy sources like solar and wind, which produce zero carbon emissions, therefore slowing the roll of climate change – is solar panels and wind turbines provide far less energy than coal or oil power plants for the amount of land they take up. Many countries’ power grids are still mostly dependent on fossil fuel sources as a result, and since climate change ripples across the entire globe, the complex process of reaching a single unified solution is inevitably going to require the collaboration of the entire global workforce.
Soleolico is doing its part by putting several green energy sources together in the same space with its newly revealed photovoltaic “sails”, which are basically vertical-axis wind turbines (they have tall blades facing forward attached to a hub that’s facing upward, allowing the turbine to spin in a horizontal circumference) with solar panels mounted on the front part of the blades. As of October 9, one fully operational Soleolico unit is placed outside of the Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander, Spain, with hopefully many more installations to come.
Designer: Soleolico
Soleolico’s core idea is providing a 24/7 green energy source. Its individual blades are designed to automatically orient to the direction and strength of wind through the company’s “patented magnetic system”. Moreover, if either wind or solar become unavailable, the same system can lean on whichever resource is available, even storing excess power in built-in energy storage systems.
Generating green energy isn’t Soleolico’s only function. It also scrubs CO2 out of the air via a 3D-printable coating made of “natural agents” that make it similar to a tree. The company even goes as far as calling it the world’s “First Technological Tree”, given its ability to integrate naturally into forests and other important and complex ecosystems while providing a higher energy production capacity than traditional wind turbines.
The aforementioned 3D-printable coating, currently produced at the LaMáquina manufacturing center in Barcelona, Spain, uses Pure.Tech organic 3D-printing technology. According to Aldo Sollazzo, the Director of Pure.Tech, “the installation of 1,000 units of Soleolico absorbs the same amount of CO2 as 287 trees in a year, according to our calculations, based on data from the European Environmental Agency and our certified laboratories”.
That’s not all. Soleolico’s “sails” design can also display advertisements and branding imagery, making them function as self-sustaining electric billboards. It’s unclear how quickly it (and other technology like it) will catch on en masse, but the fact that such an invention exists and can be produced quickly thanks to new advancements in 3D-printing tech is ultimately hopeful.
In one of the fiction books that I read lately, one of the projects that this girl was trying to do was to propose an eco-friendly amusement park with some of the rides using solar energy and most of the materials to be used are from recycled or sustainable materials. It was a pretty good idea although I thought maybe in the real world this was something not that viable. Well we still don’t have one but there is a new art installation that might fit in with that fictional amusement park.
Designer: ENESS
This permanent outdoor installation is called A Solar-Powered Bench That Spins Ever So Slowly and the name is also the actual description of this idea. It is a circular bench shaped like a flower if viewed from above and depending on how strong the sun is, it will spin around either ever so slowly or a bit faster if the sun is out in full force. It is a clever idea for something that is functional, decorative, and of course, sustainable.
The bench is actually made from custom solar panels and rotomolded with low-density polyethelene (LDPE) and recycled plastic. It stores sunlight into the panels and when it is sunny, it will spin faster (although not fast enough to make anyone dizzy) and on cloudy days, then it will live up to its name as it spins ever so slowly. The design itself follows mid-century modern furniture and if you view it from above, it looks like you have a garden of flowers in pastel colors spinning in the midst of an actual garden.
The concept is meant for people to interact with the benches and to have a different perspective of public space. People are meant to relax while it spins or have conversations with other people sitting on the bench or the one across. It would be nice if it could be replicated in other places where solar power is a viable energy source and places where there are a lot of relaxing, public spaces.
