2017. augusztus 30., szerda

Massive 'plastic monster' art installation engulfs museum visitors

Some artists prefer to work with top-of-the-line elements, but Taiwanese artist Shih Chieh Huang can do wonders with a ubiquitous dollar store material like painter’s plastic. The artist just unveiled a massive “plastic monster” that wraps around the Worcester Art Museum‘s Roman Renaissance Court, engulfing visitors in an inflated labyrinth of human-like entrails.

Shih Chieh Huang, Reusable Universes, Worcester Art Museum , plastic art, Shih Chieh Huang Cybernetic Bestiary, plastic art, art installations, plastic art installations, inflatable art, plastic waste, bioluminescent sea monsters, illuminated art, LED art

The volumnous art installation is entirely made out of a simple roll of painter’s plastic. Using a box fan, Huang breathes life to the pneumatic sculpture, which has a distinctive likeness similar to that of human intestines, “When you see the air trying to squeeze through, it makes you think of the lower intestine,” Huang told Hyper Allergic. “It’s almost like there’s food in there and it’s trying to get it out through the ends.”

Related: PlasticWaste Labyrinth is a stunning look inside our plastic waste problem

Shih Chieh Huang, Reusable Universes, Worcester Art Museum , plastic art, Shih Chieh Huang Cybernetic Bestiary, plastic art, art installations, plastic art installations, inflatable art, plastic waste, bioluminescent sea monsters, illuminated art, LED art

Photograph by Christopher Snow Hopkins for Hyperallergic

The installation is the latest piece in Huang’s “Organic Concept,” series where he brings uses a variety of cheap materials to create life-like sculptures. In addition to the inflated sculpture, the artist’s bioluminescent kinetic sculptures are also on display in the museum. Reusable Universes: Shih Chieh Huang is a series of glowing marine cyborgs that Huang has created using Tupperware, LED automotive headlights, polyethylene terephthalate bottles, and various everyday materials.

The exhibition will be on display at the Worcester Art Museum through November 12.

+ Shih Chieh Huang

+ Worcester Art Museum

Via Hyper Allergic

Photography by Kim Noonan via Worcester Art Museum

Shih Chieh Huang, Reusable Universes, Worcester Art Museum , plastic art, Shih Chieh Huang Cybernetic Bestiary, plastic art, art installations, plastic art installations, inflatable art, plastic waste, bioluminescent sea monsters, illuminated art, LED art

Shih Chieh Huang, Reusable Universes, Worcester Art Museum , plastic art, Shih Chieh Huang Cybernetic Bestiary, plastic art, art installations, plastic art installations, inflatable art, plastic waste, bioluminescent sea monsters, illuminated art, LED art

Shih Chieh Huang, Reusable Universes, Worcester Art Museum , plastic art, Shih Chieh Huang Cybernetic Bestiary, plastic art, art installations, plastic art installations, inflatable art, plastic waste, bioluminescent sea monsters, illuminated art, LED art

Shih Chieh Huang, Reusable Universes, Worcester Art Museum , plastic art, Shih Chieh Huang Cybernetic Bestiary, plastic art, art installations, plastic art installations, inflatable art, plastic waste, bioluminescent sea monsters, illuminated art, LED art



from INHABITAT http://ift.tt/2vrrkjn
via Inhabitat

2017. augusztus 29., kedd

This gorgeous 'Tree House Tower' was built using repurposed timber and old ship materials

When architect Jason McLennan isn’t busying working on Leonardo DiCaprio’s new eco resort off the coast of Belize, the talented designer is enjoying some amazing views from his five-story “tree house tower” on Seattle’s beautiful Bainbridge Island. The home, which was built in 1978, was constructed out of reclaimed timber and outfitted with various repurposed ship materials.

Jason McLennan, tree house tower, pugent sound tree house, seattle architecture, leo decaprio, reclaimed wood, reclaimed boat parts, home design, interior design, reclaimed furniture, green interior design, green architecture, porthole windows, Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island homes,

The three-bedroom, four-bathroom house is located on a secluded lot surrounded by a wall of 200-foot cedar trees on one side and the Puget Sound on the other. The home was built in 1978 by an unknown architect, who used salvaged wooden posts – which reportedly date back more than 100 years – in the construction.

Related: Delightful treehouse residence weaves through a forest in Thailand

Jason McLennan, tree house tower, pugent sound tree house, seattle architecture, leo decaprio, reclaimed wood, reclaimed boat parts, home design, interior design, reclaimed furniture, green interior design, green architecture, porthole windows, Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island homes,

The bohemian-inspired interior, which is well-lit by an abundance of large windows and skylights, is filled with repurposed trinkets taken from an old ship. Many of the windows were made out of old portholes and the home’s various brass doorknobs were repurposed from an old sailing boat.

Jason McLennan, tree house tower, pugent sound tree house, seattle architecture, leo decaprio, reclaimed wood, reclaimed boat parts, home design, interior design, reclaimed furniture, green interior design, green architecture, porthole windows, Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island homes,

McLennan’s architectural studio is on the top floor where he has used the lush natural setting of the island as inspiration for his building designs, “It’s just nature’s paradise,” he said. “Everything is nestled in the trees, so the trees are intact and the ecosystem is intact. You do feel like you’re in a special place when you’re there.”

Jason McLennan, tree house tower, pugent sound tree house, seattle architecture, leo decaprio, reclaimed wood, reclaimed boat parts, home design, interior design, reclaimed furniture, green interior design, green architecture, porthole windows, Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island homes,

Although the interior of the house is undeniably incredible, the outdoor space is definitely the heart of the home. Perennial gardens surround the outdoor areas, which include a massive outdoor chimney, covered dining area and lounge, Koi pond, fruit orchard, and even a basketball court. Of course, there are plenty of secluded nooks located on the grounds for solitude amongst the beautiful lush foliage.

+ Jason McLennan

Via Dwell

Photography by Eric Hecht

Jason McLennan, tree house tower, pugent sound tree house, seattle architecture, leo decaprio, reclaimed wood, reclaimed boat parts, home design, interior design, reclaimed furniture, green interior design, green architecture, porthole windows, Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island homes,

Jason McLennan, tree house tower, pugent sound tree house, seattle architecture, leo decaprio, reclaimed wood, reclaimed boat parts, home design, interior design, reclaimed furniture, green interior design, green architecture, porthole windows, Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island homes,

Jason McLennan, tree house tower, pugent sound tree house, seattle architecture, leo decaprio, reclaimed wood, reclaimed boat parts, home design, interior design, reclaimed furniture, green interior design, green architecture, porthole windows, Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island homes,

Jason McLennan, tree house tower, pugent sound tree house, seattle architecture, leo decaprio, reclaimed wood, reclaimed boat parts, home design, interior design, reclaimed furniture, green interior design, green architecture, porthole windows, Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island homes,

 



from INHABITAT http://ift.tt/2vAD7rI
via Inhabitat

Iowa store grows 10-15 lbs of produce on outdoor vertical garden - every week

Friday's Fresh Market, Andrew Freitag, Chen Freitag, Hy-Vee, Davenport, Iowa, Utica Ridge Hy-Vee, Grow Wall, Grow Wall by Friday's Fresh Market, produce, fresh produce, local produce, greens, leafy greens, herbs, basil, hydroponic, hydroponics, vertical garden, vertical gardens, vertical gardening, food, agriculture

It doesn’t get much more local than this. In Davenport, Iowa, Hy-Vee grocery store commissioned Friday’s Fresh Market (FFM) to install and maintain two eight-tower Grow Walls, or hydroponic vertical gardens, on the outside of their store – which they then sell inside. Owner Andrew Freitag told Inhabitat they can obtain between 10 and 15 pounds of fresh produce every week, depending on the crop.

Friday's Fresh Market, Andrew Freitag, Chen Freitag, Hy-Vee, Davenport, Iowa, Utica Ridge Hy-Vee, Grow Wall, Grow Wall by Friday's Fresh Market, produce, fresh produce, local produce, greens, leafy greens, herbs, basil, hydroponic, hydroponics, vertical garden, vertical gardens, vertical gardening, food, agriculture

Basil, lettuce, and mint flourish on the outdoor Grow Walls at Hy-Vee, installed by FFM in May this year. There’s no soil needed here: the plants are suspended in a growing medium made from recycled plastic bottles and grow in the sunlight. FFM also installed a smaller Grow Wall inside the grocery store in the produce section. They maintain both systems, germinating seeds, transplanting, supplying nutrients and water, harvesting, and packaging the produce for sale in the store.

Related: Berlin grocery with vertical micro-farm reimagines the future of produce departments

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.10"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

We are at the HyVee in Davenport, Iowa checking out a Grow Wall from Friday's Fresh Market!

Posted by Inhabitat on Wednesday, August 16, 2017

FFM manager Chen Freitag told Inhabitat, “We see this disruptive technology becoming more and more popular in our future farming industry. It will help to improve the fresh food desert situation here in the Midwest tremendously and stimulate the local economy.”

Friday's Fresh Market, Andrew Freitag, Chen Freitag, Hy-Vee, Davenport, Iowa, Utica Ridge Hy-Vee, Grow Wall, Grow Wall by Friday's Fresh Market, produce, fresh produce, local produce, greens, leafy greens, herbs, basil, hydroponic, hydroponics, vertical garden, vertical gardens, vertical gardening, food, agriculture

The Grow Walls aren’t the only aspect of FFM’s business. They also cultivate indoor farms in shipping containers, using the same towers and irrigation system as a Grow Wall. Freitag said these farms consume around 90 percent less water than traditional methods, and since FFM can control the environment, produce grown inside the shipping container farms is more colorful and flavorful, with a higher nutrient content. She said FFM started pursuing hydroponics as a more efficient, sustainable way to grow fresh food, no matter the weather outside.

“Our goal is to improve the quality of life in our local communities,” Freitag told Inhabitat. “People here deserve to eat better, live better. We believe we are capable of being self-sufficient when it comes to fresh, local food year-round.”

Friday's Fresh Market, Andrew Freitag, Chen Freitag, Hy-Vee, Davenport, Iowa, Utica Ridge Hy-Vee, Grow Wall, Grow Wall by Friday's Fresh Market, produce, fresh produce, local produce, greens, leafy greens, herbs, basil, hydroponic, hydroponics, vertical garden, vertical gardens, vertical gardening, food, agriculture

One small Iowa company may not be able to change the entire agriculture industry right away; instead, Freitag said they focus on changing people’s daily lives with better food, and hope the industry evolves from there. “The earth is the resource account we cannot afford to overdraw,” she told Inhabitat. “We need to think about future generations: what we leave them to live with.”

+ Friday’s Fresh Market

Images via Lacy Cooke for Inhabitat

Friday's Fresh Market, Andrew Freitag, Chen Freitag, Hy-Vee, Davenport, Iowa, Utica Ridge Hy-Vee, Grow Wall, Grow Wall by Friday's Fresh Market, produce, fresh produce, local produce, greens, leafy greens, herbs, basil, hydroponic, hydroponics, vertical garden, vertical gardens, vertical gardening, food, agriculture

Friday's Fresh Market, Andrew Freitag, Chen Freitag, Hy-Vee, Davenport, Iowa, Utica Ridge Hy-Vee, Grow Wall, Grow Wall by Friday's Fresh Market, produce, fresh produce, local produce, greens, leafy greens, herbs, basil, hydroponic, hydroponics, vertical garden, vertical gardens, vertical gardening, food, agriculture

Friday's Fresh Market, Andrew Freitag, Chen Freitag, Hy-Vee, Davenport, Iowa, Utica Ridge Hy-Vee, Grow Wall, Grow Wall by Friday's Fresh Market, produce, fresh produce, local produce, greens, leafy greens, herbs, basil, hydroponic, hydroponics, vertical garden, vertical gardens, vertical gardening, food, agriculture



from INHABITAT http://ift.tt/2x0OJHI
via Inhabitat

2017. augusztus 25., péntek

9 incredible pod homes to help you win at off-grid living

If your #lifegoals include living off the grid in some stunning locale, then check this out: we’ve rounded up the best pod homes that can be installed in even the most remote locations. From a futuristic 3D-printed shelter to the nature-influenced Baobed, there’s something for every world traveler (and almost every budget).

Drop Pod, Harwyn Pod, Baobed Pod, Pod Space, Podzook, SOM shelter, ALPOD, POD-Idladla, Ecocapsule, off-grid, off-grid pods, living pods, tiny homes, tiny pods, off-grid living, off-grid homes, solar power, solar powered pods, pod homes, pop up home, pop up pods, eco travel, responsible travel, home pods, 3d printing, 3d printed home, 3d printed pod, backyard office, backyard pod, portable home, portable pod

Pod Space

Pod Space’s award winning pre-fab pods can be installed just about anywhere you can dream of. The modular pods are customizable, so you can use them as a backyard office, an extra room, or even a fully-equipped tiny home. The best part is the floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can let nature in while keeping the elements out.

Drop Pod, Harwyn Pod, Baobed Pod, Pod Space, Podzook, SOM shelter, ALPOD, POD-Idladla, Ecocapsule, off-grid, off-grid pods, living pods, tiny homes, tiny pods, off-grid living, off-grid homes, solar power, solar powered pods, pod homes, pop up home, pop up pods, eco travel, responsible travel, home pods, 3d printing, 3d printed home, 3d printed pod, backyard office, backyard pod, portable home, portable pod

Podzook

If you are the type to think outside the box – literally – you’ll dig the spherical Podzook. With its locally-sourced shingled wood exterior and its space-age interior, the Podzook is what you’d get if you combined traditional Maine craftsmanship with an alien space pod. Each one is made to order and comes with a skylight and a futuristic gull-wing door. Prices range from 28 – 32k depending on the options you choose.

Drop Pod, Harwyn Pod, Baobed Pod, Pod Space, Podzook, SOM shelter, ALPOD, POD-Idladla, Ecocapsule, off-grid, off-grid pods, living pods, tiny homes, tiny pods, off-grid living, off-grid homes, solar power, solar powered pods, pod homes, pop up home, pop up pods, eco travel, responsible travel, home pods, 3d printing, 3d printed home, 3d printed pod, backyard office, backyard pod, portable home, portable pod

3D-Printed SOM shelter

Architecture firm SOM is taking off-grid living into the future with a 3D-printed shelter that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. It features rooftop solar panels for power and comes with its own vehicle that generates its own power. Best of all, the structure and the vehicle can share power wirelessly when you need an extra bit of juice. The SOM shelter can be “printed” right on site, illustrating what is possible in the future of home building.

Drop Pod, Harwyn Pod, Baobed Pod, Pod Space, Podzook, SOM shelter, ALPOD, POD-Idladla, Ecocapsule, off-grid, off-grid pods, living pods, tiny homes, tiny pods, off-grid living, off-grid homes, solar power, solar powered pods, pod homes, pop up home, pop up pods, eco travel, responsible travel, home pods, 3d printing, 3d printed home, 3d printed pod, backyard office, backyard pod, portable home, portable pod

ALPOD

The 65k ALPOD is a high-tech solution to skyrocketing real estate prices. The prefabricated structure is made of lightweight aluminum, so it can be moved where needed and then recycled when has reached the end of its life. The pods can even be stacked, so you could create an entire skyscraper of them. With 480-square feet of living space, it’s a great solution for both urban locations, since it can be hooked up to the grid, and off-grid with it solar power option.

Drop Pod, Harwyn Pod, Baobed Pod, Pod Space, Podzook, SOM shelter, ALPOD, POD-Idladla, Ecocapsule, off-grid, off-grid pods, living pods, tiny homes, tiny pods, off-grid living, off-grid homes, solar power, solar powered pods, pod homes, pop up home, pop up pods, eco travel, responsible travel, home pods, 3d printing, 3d printed home, 3d printed pod, backyard office, backyard pod, portable home, portable pod

POD-Idlada

POD-Idladla is a prefabricated home that can be shipped flat-packed for on-site assembly in a snap. The 186-square foot tiny home is powered by solar energy and is modular, so it can be expanded if necessary. Tall ceilings help make the space feel large without increasing its footprint, and costs start at just $15k.

Drop Pod, Harwyn Pod, Baobed Pod, Pod Space, Podzook, SOM shelter, ALPOD, POD-Idladla, Ecocapsule, off-grid, off-grid pods, living pods, tiny homes, tiny pods, off-grid living, off-grid homes, solar power, solar powered pods, pod homes, pop up home, pop up pods, eco travel, responsible travel, home pods, 3d printing, 3d printed home, 3d printed pod, backyard office, backyard pod, portable home, portable pod

Ecocapsule

The egg-shaped Ecocapsule is the stuff that off-grid dreams are made of. The ultra-portable house is powered by solar and wind, with rainwater collection and filtration built-in. The 86-square foot space manages to pack a lot of features, with a folding bed, dining area, shower and toilet, storage and a kitchenette. Each capsule fits inside a shipping container so it can go nearly anywhere. Ecocapsule homes start shipping this year, so save your pennies, because owning one will set you back $94,000.

Drop Pod, Harwyn Pod, Baobed Pod, Pod Space, Podzook, SOM shelter, ALPOD, POD-Idladla, Ecocapsule, off-grid, off-grid pods, living pods, tiny homes, tiny pods, off-grid living, off-grid homes, solar power, solar powered pods, pod homes, pop up home, pop up pods, eco travel, responsible travel, home pods, 3d printing, 3d printed home, 3d printed pod, backyard office, backyard pod, portable home, portable pod

Drop Pod

The DROP Eco-Hotel is different because it isn’t designed as a permanent home, but as a pod-like hotel room for modern nomads that can be installed in some truly incredible places – including elevated above the earth. The prefabricated structure is clad in slotted wood to control solar gain, features a skylight for daylighting and a rainwater recycling system.

Drop Pod, Harwyn Pod, Baobed Pod, Pod Space, Podzook, SOM shelter, ALPOD, POD-Idladla, Ecocapsule, off-grid, off-grid pods, living pods, tiny homes, tiny pods, off-grid living, off-grid homes, solar power, solar powered pods, pod homes, pop up home, pop up pods, eco travel, responsible travel, home pods, 3d printing, 3d printed home, 3d printed pod, backyard office, backyard pod, portable home, portable pod

Harwyn Pod

The Harwyn Pod is a tiny space for distraction-free work. Designed to be an office, art space or yoga studio, each pod can pop-up on-site in just 5 hours and comes complete with built-in furniture. With a footprint of only 2.5 by 2 meters and luxury car-inspired design, each tiny dwelling is fully insulated against the elements.

Drop Pod, Harwyn Pod, Baobed Pod, Pod Space, Podzook, SOM shelter, ALPOD, POD-Idladla, Ecocapsule, off-grid, off-grid pods, living pods, tiny homes, tiny pods, off-grid living, off-grid homes, solar power, solar powered pods, pod homes, pop up home, pop up pods, eco travel, responsible travel, home pods, 3d printing, 3d printed home, 3d printed pod, backyard office, backyard pod, portable home, portable pod

Baobed Sleeping Pod

The Baobed pod is a treehouse for adventure-seekers. The sleek pod can be suspended in the treetops, nestled on a beach, and plopped on a rooftop or even in the middle of a pond. The fruit-like shape was inspired by the fruit of the baobab tree and provides a tiny, safe space for travelers. Thanks to its tiny footprint and light weight (just 992 pounds), it can be transported on a trailer and can be equipped with a platform, mosquito nets and storage options.



from INHABITAT http://ift.tt/2xiGvIH
via Inhabitat

Timber cabin on wheels lets you hit the open road in luxurious comfort

Seek adventure on the open road without leaving the comforts of home—that’s the charm of ESCAPE, a Wisconsin-based company that designs and builds RVs that look like tiny towable cabins. We’re always impressed by ESCAPE’s line of tiny homes on wheels and their latest addition, Escape ONE XL, is no exception. Clad in charred wood siding, the ONE XL was launched this month and comfortably sleeps up to eight inside a surprisingly lavish modern interior.

Escape RV, Escape tiny home, Escape ONE XL, luxury tiny home, mobile charred timber tiny home, timber handcrafted rv, off-grid tiny home, tiny home for eight people,

Escape RV, Escape tiny home, Escape ONE XL, luxury tiny home, mobile charred timber tiny home, timber handcrafted rv, off-grid tiny home, tiny home for eight people,

We’ve seen many tiny homes on Inhabitat but few pull out all the stops like the Escape ONE XL. Designed as the larger version of the Escape ONE, this tiny mobile home measures 30 feet in length (35 feet with the hitch), 8.5 feet in width, and nearly 14 feet in height. The 388-square-foot cabin is wrapped in unique Shou Sugi Ban siding and punctuated with low-e windows and a glazed door that lets in ample natural light. It includes two sleeping lofts on opposite sides, one accessible via a staircase with hidden storage and the other via ladder, that fit a queen bed, full, or twin beds.

Escape RV, Escape tiny home, Escape ONE XL, luxury tiny home, mobile charred timber tiny home, timber handcrafted rv, off-grid tiny home, tiny home for eight people,

Escape RV, Escape tiny home, Escape ONE XL, luxury tiny home, mobile charred timber tiny home, timber handcrafted rv, off-grid tiny home, tiny home for eight people,

The interior is handsomely lined in timber, including Raw Lodgepodge Pine center match with pine trim, laminate flooring with an oak hardwood option, a pine solid core bathroom door, and handcrafted wood details. The first floor features a spacious living room that’s separated from the bathroom by a large kitchen. A ceiling fan hangs above the kitchen. Closed cell foam insulation made with recycled materials boasts an average of R30.

Escape RV, Escape tiny home, Escape ONE XL, luxury tiny home, mobile charred timber tiny home, timber handcrafted rv, off-grid tiny home, tiny home for eight people,

Escape RV, Escape tiny home, Escape ONE XL, luxury tiny home, mobile charred timber tiny home, timber handcrafted rv, off-grid tiny home, tiny home for eight people,

Related: Escape Traveler is a tiny cabin on wheels that can be moved anywhere

In addition to its beautiful timber craftsmanship, the ONE XL includes luxury amenities, particularly for a tiny mobile home. The kitchen features maple cabinetry, a deep sink, a fridge and freezer, solid butcher block tops, microwave, and full-size range with four burners. The living room is multipurpose with built-in LED lighting, storage, and large windows. The bathroom has a 60” tub and shower with a large vanity, Toto toilet, towel bars, vent fan, and option to change the tub into a soaking or jet tub. Additional options, such as a flatscreen TV with Blu-ray and http://ift.tt/1avlEPBoff-grid capability are available. The Escape ONE XL, which is over 100 square foot larger than its predecessor Escape ONE, starts at $69,800.

+ Escape ONE XL

Via Dezeen

Images via Escape

Escape RV, Escape tiny home, Escape ONE XL, luxury tiny home, mobile charred timber tiny home, timber handcrafted rv, off-grid tiny home, tiny home for eight people,

Escape RV, Escape tiny home, Escape ONE XL, luxury tiny home, mobile charred timber tiny home, timber handcrafted rv, off-grid tiny home, tiny home for eight people,

Escape RV, Escape tiny home, Escape ONE XL, luxury tiny home, mobile charred timber tiny home, timber handcrafted rv, off-grid tiny home, tiny home for eight people,



from INHABITAT http://ift.tt/2wM4AtN
via Inhabitat

2017. augusztus 23., szerda

People are using recycled laptop batteries to power their homes

Tesla Powerwall, DIY Powerwall, laptop, batteries, clean energy, sustainability, off-grid, solar energy,

Why spend thousands of dollars on a Tesla Powerwall when you could build your own – for a fraction of the cost? This is a question many alternative energy enthusiasts have asked, and it is ultimately what has led hundreds of people to develop their own versions using recycled laptop batteries. Now that plans for DIY Powerwalls are being shared for free online, several people have created rigs capable of storing far more energy than the Tesla version.

Tesla Powerwall, DIY Powerwall, laptop, batteries, clean energy, sustainability, off-grid, solar energy,

On Facebook, YouTube and in forums, people are learning how to safely create their own DIY versions that cost much less than a Tesla Powerwall. One of the most popular powerwall builders is Jehu Garcia. He told Vice, “It’s the future. It’s clean, simple, efficient and powerful.” Joe Williams, another DIY powerwall enthusiast, added ”The end result is being able to rely on something I not only built myself but understand the ins and outs of to power some or all of my electricity in my home. That is inspiring.”

There are several DIY versions capable of storing more energy than Tesla’s Powerwall. On the French forum Diypowerwalls.com, user Glubux said his powerwall can store 28 kWh of energy. “I run all the house with it, in fact I even bought an electric oven and induction cooking plate to use the extra energy during summer,” they said.

Tesla Powerwall, DIY Powerwall, laptop, batteries, clean energy, sustainability, off-grid, solar energy,

Australian YouTuber Peter Matthews claims he has created a gigantic battery that can store 40 kWh of energy. Reportedly, it harvests power from over 40 solar panels on Matthews’ roof and stores nearly enough power for his home’s electricity needs. “The only things I don’t run are the big air conditioners and the water heating system,” he said. The alternative energy aficionado created DIYpowerwalls as well as the most popular powerwall Facebook group.

Related: Mercedes takes on the Tesla Powerwall with a new battery for buildings

Tesla Powerwall, DIY Powerwall, laptop, batteries, clean energy, sustainability, off-grid, solar energy,

Most of the powerwall hobbyists recommend using 18650 lithium-ion batteries for their projects. The batteries are usually encased in a colorful plastic and can be found inside electronics, such as laptops. If sourced online or from a computer store, the batteries will cost more than $5 a piece. If obtained second-hand, from old Dell, HP, Lenovo and LG laptops, it’s possible to save hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars on the project. Of course, one might meet challenges collecting the batteries, as tech companies frown upon their creative repurposing.

A positive effect of the DIY powerwall trend is that it reduces waste. According to Carl E. Smith, the CEO and president of Call2Recycle, approximately 95 percent of consumer batteries which are sold in the US are not recycled and are ultimately thrown away. ”Virtually all batteries can be recycled into valuable secondary products which is the biggest reason why they should not be landfilled and should be recycled instead,” he said.

Tesla Powerwall, DIY Powerwall, laptop, batteries, clean energy, sustainability, off-grid, solar energy,

Though it can be time-consuming to source the used batteries, it’s a worthwhile investment according to DIY powerwall enthusiasts. And, if one carefully follows instructions when building their own version (such as those that follow), the risk of burning down one’s house is minimized.

Ultimately, there is a risk associated with creating your own energy storage device, but the trend can’t be ignored as it grows in popularity.

Via Motherboard Vice

Images via Daniel RömerJehu GarciaGlubux



from INHABITAT http://ift.tt/2g5h2ys
via Inhabitat