Wind and Solar Powered: What can the LG Skycharger do for you?
Posted by lindseyshoe
Never plug in again? Or lose your cell phone charge while delayed at the airport? What has cell phone charging come to when you can power just about any type of cell phone with power from the sun and wind?
The LG Skycharger, released in 2009 by LG Electronics, is the first mobile phone charging station to be powered by solar and wind energy in the United States.
Developed by the renewable energy specialists Gotwind, the pod offers a fast and secure way to charge multiple mobile phones outdoor and away from electric power sources.
LG hails the Recharge Pod Mk2 as an “eco-mobilization motivation piece.”
What are the applications for the Recharge Pod Mk2?
Anywhere there are large gatherings of people, there are sure to be large numbers of cell phones. When people travel, whether for a day, weekend, or several days, sooner or later they will need to recharge their cell phones. Typically, this means hundreds or thousands of cell phone chargers being plugged in and using electricity. The Recharge Pod Mk2 could offer a greener alternative for recharging cell phones at large public gatherings, including:
• Trade shows
• Outdoor concerts
• Music Festivals
• Renaissance festivals
• Sporting Events
This freestanding, renewable energy mobile phone charger first debuted at the Glastonbury music festival in 2008. The first Recharge Pod Mk2 was unveiled at the 2009 CES trade show in Las Vegas as the LG Skycharger. At the trade show in Vegas, the one day that wasn’t sunny was windy, but the Recharge Pod Mk2 was able to keep up with the high demand on it’s own natural juice.
While the Recharge Pod Mk2 is being marketed for outdoor events like trade shows and festivals, it has been suggested that the technology in the Recharge Pod Mk2 could be helpful in disaster relief programs as well, such as when power and communication sources are down.
What are the features of the LG Skycharger?
• Runs on wind and solar power
• Free-standing
• 104 individual secure lockers for cell phones (with peak power of 1.8 Kw)
• A central column design offers marketing space
• Faster to build
• Easier to take down and operate
• Ideally suited for a touring environment
• Battery bank to store unused power
• Information panel with weather report and information on power generated
What do the critics have to say?
As always, there have been naysayers that have accused LG Electronics of “green-washing” and made fun of the amount of non-renewable energy saved with the use of the Recharger Pod Mk2 charging 104 mobile phones. However, it is important to note it charges 104 cell phones per hour (at a music festival or trade show) that last for days, so the reduction in the carbon footprint would be more than a “drop in the bucket.” Besides, every rain barrel starts with a “drop in the bucket,” but eventually there are gallons of water saved, and that’s just from one rain barrel.
What do outdoor event goers that want to use the Recharger Pod Mk2 need to know?
It’s easy to use. You don’t even need to bring your own charger. Concertgoers or trade show enthusiasts can spot the tent with the windmill on top. Choose an empty “cubby” that has the proper connector for your cell phone and plug in. You’ll turn a key to lock it in and take the key with you for security. Return in an hour or so and your mobile phone is charged, from solar and wind power, without an electrical outlet in sight.
2 Responses to “Wind and Solar Powered: What can the LG Skycharger do for you?”
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Joel says:
that sounds awesome!
Amazing video!!!!!