People power

Dan Rogers - 03 Dec 2009

'What's a power cord, granddad?' Dan Williams, VP of product development at Konarka Technologies, US, argues that integrated electronics herald a new age of personal power

Imagine a day when electrical devices send power to the grid, rather than receive power from it. Or a day when devices make their own power and consume only the power required to operate them, rather than relying on external power from the grid. While this may sound like design for tomorrow's world, many companies today are working on products that do just that.

One of those companies is Konarka Technologies, an innovator in the development of a unique light harvesting material called Konarka Power Plastic. Along with its customers in the electronic and consumer products markets, Konarka is exploring applications for its solar material that provide local energy to devices, affording them less dependency on the electric grid. While many western markets deeply invested in available electric infrastructure might ask, 'Why bother?', markets in the emerging world are embracing the idea.

Mobile phones

In much the same way that wireless, cellular infrastructure became the solution of choice over fixed wire landline for voice communication in places like China, India and the Middle East, the same is holding true for electric requirements. Local and remote power sources are rapidly becoming accepted as solutions for power-hungry populations. Solar and wind power installations are dotting the countryside as the populous looks for reliable energy sources for communication, lighting and water management needs.

Now product designers are contemplating the notion of personal power. Devices or accessories hosting integrated renewable power sources reduce or eliminate the need for reliance on external power to recharge batteries.

With over three billion mobile phones in use today, over half a million users do not have access to reliable sources to maintain battery power. Many of these users resort to long treks to shops that provide battery charging, while others only turn on their phone when making a call.

Mobile network providers in those corners of the world predict usage and subsequent revenue could increase by as much as 20% if users had access to more reliable power.

Personal power

While emerging markets are likely to be the places where personal power will gain interest first, it is also showing up on New York's Fifth Avenue and Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive. Personal power is chic. The idea that we do not have to rely on disposable batteries for auxiliary power for mobile phones is being accepted. Driven by environmental concerns around batteries, as well as safety and convenience, consumers are looking for solutions to keep their mobile phone and music devices charged at all times - not just when they have access to electrical outlets.

Just as we have become accustomed to calling a person, regardless of their location, the same premise will hold true for power. In the future, we will rely less on where power is located, because power generation will become a feature in next-generation devices, accessories and clothing. In Konarka's case, they are providing a material for end users and device makers that produces energy wherever there is light.

Could the day be coming when a mobile phone purchase no longer includes a wall outlet power adapter?