If our gadget dependency continues to worsen, this could be what our beaches will look like. [via Yanko Design ]

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Solar trees forecast a future where gadgets are charged on beaches

Pluggage is a prototype for a carry-on suitcase featuring a built-in battery/inverter and solar panel. Thus, it charges both as it rolls and picks up direct sunlight. The bag was created by ITP student Ohad Folman, who spent 3 months tricking out a Burton Wheelie Flight Deck rolling suitcase with a Duracell PowerSource Mobile 100 external battery pack, a stepper motor , multimeter to display battery life, and a Burton SolarRolls panel capable of generating 4.5 watts. The battery, says, Ohad, will charge within ~2 hours of walk time assuming an average walking speed between 2-5 kilometers/hour. A full charge should power a laptop for about 1.5 hours, depending on the make/model. Unfortunately, Ohad has had a heck of a time getting manufacturers like Samsonite to even check out his invention. Hence, he’s hoping to license the tech to a smaller luggage/travel company: I would envision this piece to retail for $400 to $550 depending on the model (with flexible solar capability or without). The kids model would probably be cheaper (around $250) and the bare-bones (for those who already have a carry-on case) and are interested in the kinetic capabilities would be around $300. I’m working on making the kinetic mechanism removable (like a tape cassette) so it can go through air port security easily (the kinetic mechanism can be scanned separately). I’m also working on hand release switch that will enable the user to remove the friction between the motor and the wheels in situations where the user needs to rush somewhere and does not want to have to deal with any level of friction. I’d buy one. Previously: Review: GoBe Solar Briefcase & Power-Hub The Chairman: a cellphone - Boing Boing Gadgets Rocking Horse cellphone charger Power Pump cellphone charger ready for glastonbury Brando Multi Solar Charger review (Verdict: Avoid) - Boing Boing … Suitcase full of bacon triggers airport bomb detectors Continental Baggage Handlers Stealing Gadgets from Luggage - Boing …

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Kinetic, Solar-Charing Suitcase

That there’s a solar bus shelter, it is, the first in San Francisco. Mike Chino took a look : Situated at Geary and Arguello boulevards in the Richmond District, the new bus shelter features an undulating solar roof that calls to mind both the hills of San Francisco and a seismic wave (this is earthquake territory after all!) The roof is constructed from an innovative 40% post-industrial recycled polycarbonate material embedded with thin-film photovoltaic cells, and the steel structure is composed of 75% recycled material. The shelter also features a pushbutton update system, more room for transit information, and is expected feed back energy into the city’s electrical grid.

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San Francisco’s solar-powered bus shelter

Pacific Gas & Electric, which provides the power for much of California, has announced their intention to purchase power from Solaren , a company which intends to put power-harvesting satellites in space, then beam the energy back to Earth. (And has a sci-fi logo to match.) PG&E is seeking approval from state regulators for a power purchase agreement with Solaren Corp., a Southern California company that has contracted to deliver 200 megawatts of clean, renewable power over a 15 year period. Solaren says it plans to generate the power using solar panels in earth orbit, then convert it to radio frequency energy for transmission to a receiving station in Fresno County. From there, the energy will be converted to electricity and fed into PG&E’s power grid. Next up: Dyson swarms . Or Goldeneye . Update : Cryptogon is incredulous about the validity of Solaren.

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PG&E wants to beam power from space