You’ll soon be able to take
renewable energy on the go. Shine, a new
product from Canadian company Aurea, is a portable wind turbine,
perfect for long hikes, weathering blackouts, and more. It’s small
enough to fit in a backpack, weighs less than three pounds, and
is able to charge any USB device. Shine launched on
Kickstarter last year and on Indiegogo in April, with plans to
start shipping models out in time for the summer camping season.Aurea founder Cat Adaley said that because it’s largely being marketed to backpackers and other outdoor lovers, the mini turbine’s light weight was its most important aspect. “People said, ‘We won’t carry it if it weighs more than three pounds,’” she explained. “Every design feature was weighed.” It’s also designed to be user friendly, and can be set up similarly to a tent: the collapsible tripod gets driven into the ground, and the foldable turbine blades placed on top. If you’re thinking of going off the grid anytime soon but still want your phone close by, the Shine could be your perfect solution.