Portable Hydro-Electric Backpack Generator Goes Where the Grid Can't
Those of us who can plug directly into the grid likely don't think much about where our power comes from, but for people living in remote regions of the world or militaries operating far from the nearest three-prong outlet, being able to pack power with you is a priority. With that in mind, California-based Bourne Energy has devised a hydroelectric generator that breaks down to backpack size, making green energy as portable as any standard rucksack. The BackPack Power Plant collapses into a package only 3 feet long and weighing only 30 pounds, packing power, control, cooling and sensor systems into a cylindrical, fairly lightweight package that slings over the shoulder. When deployed, the rotor blades unfold from the hub, creating a portable electricity source that generates up to 500 watts in optimal conditions (in an ideal spot, the water would be at least four feet deep with a current moving...