nPower Personal Electricity Generator

[Danneaux]

Hi All!

While waiting for my Joos Orange solar panel/buffer battery/USB charger to arrive, I notice REI is now carrying the nPower PEG (Personal Electricity Generator). It is a device that harnesses kinetic energy (the bumpy-movements produced by walking, running, or cycling on a rough road), converting that movement to electricity, and then storing it in a buffer battery so it is available to recharge a cellphone or other similar device.

The principle is akin to the LED flashlights you power by shaking for awhile.

To see more, the nPower site is here: http://www.npowerpeg.com/
Overview here: http://www.npowerpeg.com/learn-more
Operating principle here: http://www.npowerpeg.com/new-how-it-works
REI entry with user reviews here: http://www.rei.com/product/849998/npower-peg-personal-energy-generator?cm_mmc=email_tran-_-shipping_conf-_-20130522-_-omnirec2&RMID=ShipmentConfirmation_v1_20111028&RRID=753710
Amazon description and reviews here: http://www.amazon.com/nPower-Personal-Energy-Generator-Battery/product-reviews/B00AQIVPJ6/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

At about 14oz/400g, it is a bit heavy for a charger, but not bad at all for a charger-battery combo and it can be pre-charged via USB. It is pretty big at 10.5 x 2 x 1.5in/~27x5x4cm, but would stand upright in the corner of a pannier and so take minimal space.

There are some limitations. For example, it must be stored upright to charge and it does not have sufficient capacity to (re)charge a laptop, netbook, or iPad, but seems to work well in topping-off or recharging standard and smartphones. Unlike solar, it doesn't require sunshine to charge in the field. On the other hand, one must be moving to generate a charge. Of course, once charged, the storage battery is available for charging while on the move or at rest. Sounds like the ideal for a hiker in rainy/cloudy conditions or in a locale with heavy tree cover. Just the ticket for through-hiking or pilgrimages. It doesn't appear to be impact/waterproof and it does have a magnetic field strong enough to affect a compass or affect credit cards.

Nice to see new approaches come to market. Not all will be suitable to need, but the growing interest is heartening!

Best,

Dan. (...who is always intrigued by electrifying news)