Microenergy Systems – A Question Of Watts Per Pound

Microenergy systems, also known as rapid deployment energy systems, offer a new way to look at energy efficiency, especially if you’re a boater who is concerned about weight.

And that is in terms of watts per pound. This useful number lets you easily get an idea of the ergonomics of an energy system. In fact, that’s the way most power engineers look at energy devices. The more watts per pound, the better. However, to be precise, engineers often refer to watts per pound as specific power, and often use kilograms instead of the pounds, that is watts per kilogram.

Comparing the watts-to-weight ratio of different types of energy generation devices will also give you a good idea about what to expect from an energy product or specific energy technology. For example, you can find 100 Watt micro wind generators that weigh about 32 kilograms, which results in a 3.3 Watts per kilogram power to weight ratio. However, micro hydropower generators with the same watt rating, 100 Watts, have twice the specific power. One such device, from Ampair (Warfield Berkshire) which weighs only 16 kilograms, has a watt to weight ratio of 6.6 watts per kilogram.

However, you can even find microenergy generation devices that are lighter and have higher power-to-weight ratios. One such device is the K3 tribird from Kinesis Industries LLC (Scottsdale, Arizona). That device, which weighs a mere 300 grams, has a watt ratting of 5 watts. This gives the device a 16.7 watt per kilogram ratio, which is almost three times higher than the micro hydro generator and over five times higher than the micro wind generator. The K3 is also small. It measures a compact 78X236 X80 millimeters (3.0X9.3X 3.1 inches).

Although not specifically designed for marine environments, Kinesis notes that its K3 is a weatherproof design with an operating temperature range from minus thirty degrees Centigrade all the way up to positive 55 degrees Centigrade.

Kinesis points out that the device also has the highest rechargeable battery capacity of its class. The K3contains a rechargeable Lithium Ion 3.7 Volt battery with a capacity rating of 4000 milliampere hours. With just one hour of sun and wind the K3 will give your typical cell phone 30 minutes of talk time and your MP3 player over 300 minutes of play time.

With a fully charged K3, you get even more. When fully charged, it can recharge most all of your electronic devices up to10 times, which can add up to over 3000 minutes before you need to take your K3 out for a sun bath or a ride on your bicycle.

On board the K3 microenergy unit is a tiny plastic wind generator complete with fins. You will also find a solar cell array and several ports. The K3, besides the sun and wind, can also be charged from other electronic devices through its direct USB-to-USB port connection or it can be directly connected to boat or car cigarette lighter. It will also take a charge from a standard AC electrical wall socket.

To provide the widest range of device compatibility, Kinesis hooked up with iGo, Inc. (Scottsdale, Arizona, NASDAQ: IGOI) a provider of eco-friendly chargers and interchangeable power tips. With the power tips, you can charge almost any type of device from any manufacturer iPods, mp3 players, iPhones, smartphones, PDAs, portable gaming devices, GPS units, digital cameras and Bluetooth headsets all can be charged from the K3 or, if you want, be used to charge the K3.

The K3 is packaged a space-age package that compliments its multi-colored LED power status lights, The K3 also was designed to be mounted or hung just like was to charge, about anywhere and anytime. With its handle it can be easily placed on a mast, on your bow, or when at home, on your bicycle handlebars.

Not only does Kinesis Industries offer hybrid microenergy generators; it also offers a number of solar-only and wind-only microenergy generators. These include its Solio Magnesium, MiniWiz Hymini, Power Monkey Explorer, and the iceTech Solar i9005. The price for these devices ranges from$99.00 to $170.00 The K3 however is the lowest priced, at $99.00.

To get an idea where Kinesis is going, you might look up its name in a dictionary. Kinesis is a biology term, a noun, used to indicate the non-directional movement of an organism in response to a stimulus, typically light.

Kinesis next product is in fact a wind and solar powered flash light. What’s impressive about this device, is that it makes sense. The wind or sun at sea is almost always enough to keep the light powered, and on a bike, you always have wind when you pedal or coast.