Awesome Energy

Most homes get power from utility companies, which can be costly and negatively impact the environment. VICE Impact introduces us to Jehu Garcia, an electronics enthusiast who has built a DIY powerwall – an off-grid installation of recycled lithium-ion batteries that stores solar energy and power his home.

Waste processing plants are usually some of the ugliest facilities out there. But in Copenhagen, Denmark, the modernist Amager Bakke not only cleanly converts trash to energy, its rooftop doubles as grass-covered urban ski slope. The impressive facility was designed by Bjarke Ingels Group.

No, Kurzgesagt’s latest video isn’t about building a fancy vacuum cleaner. Instead, it’s an explanation of how we might go about creating a megastructure in space, capable of harnessing the power of a star, by containing it. Basically, it would be the largest task every undertaken.

Say goodbye to bad energy, and switch your home to green electricity with Arcadia Power. The company helps you find cost-effective clean energy sources like wind and solar, along with tools to help you monitor and manage your energy consumption and environmental impact.

There’s more demand to move away from fossil fuels and towards electric power than ever. MinutePhysics and Real Engineering teamed up to explore some of the challenges of using batteries to power everything, and the theoretical limitations of battery tech.

To promote their solar storage batteries, E.ON teamed up with Noah Harris and Gorillaz to create this vibrant commercial, packed with battery-powered toys. The energy company also built a mobile version of the fictitious Kong Studios which runs on battery power.

Kurzgesagt provides a layperson’s look at this potential alternative energy source, and discusses the pros and cons of messing with the same sort of reaction that makes the Sun and other stars work. TL;DR: It’s gonna be a long time before you can buy a working Mr. Fusion.

Ready for a mid-afternoon boost? You could run down to the Starbucks and wait for your espresso to cool off, or snack on one of these delicious candy chews at your desk. Each bite packs the caffeine boost of a 12oz. cup of coffee. The mocha ones are especially yummy.

Spring squad goals: get off the couch and get beach body ready. These protein products from Glukos Energy perk us up whether we hit the gym, golf course or bike trail, and the seriously tasty flavors provide fast, natural energy to active muscles for effective recovery.

By using data from Google Maps and other sources, Project Sunroof aims to make it easy for those who want to install solar panels to figure out the best locations to place them. Available in Boston, San Francisco and Fresno for now.

Despite the controversy and dangers behind nuclear energy, the science behind it is impressive. Here, Kurzgesagt takes a look at how radioactive elements are harnessed into usable power, and the history of nuclear power.

The Buoyant Air Turbine or BAT from Altaeros Energies is made of a helium-filled, inflatable shell that ascends to high altitudes where it harnesses the energy of stronger, more consistent winds to provide power to remote areas and microgrids.

By turning the screen of an old rear-projection TV into a giant fresnel magnifying lens, Grant Thompson magnifies the light of the sun to cook food, boil liquid, ignite fuel, and melt pennies.

The folks over at Vat19 continue their tradition of bringing all things gummy to market, with these gummy bears spiked with the same amount of caffeine and guarana as an energy drink.

Dragging butt? Squirt this tasty zero-calorie stuff in your water, and zip through the day. Contains caffeine, guarana and ginseng, in Black Cherry and “Green Thunder” (tastes like apple to us).

If you need some percolating and don’t care for coffee, ThinkGeek’s Caffeinated Chocolate Milk Straws have about 2.5 energy drinks worth of caffeine per straw; add milk and feel the power.

(NSFW for one f-bomb) Check out all the gratuitous amounts of energy you’ll have after drinking Powerthirst – enough to punch wild cats in the face. Bonus: buy it on their website. (Thanks Kelley!)

Peter Byck’s non-partisan Carbon Nation movie presents the solutions and benefits of a low-carbon economy, e.g., strengthened business, national and energy security, and health improvement.

Mr. Wind is so misunderstood. Sure, he’ll wreak havoc with your hair, and mess up your umbrella, but he’s much more useful than that according to this commercial for Germany’s Epuron.