You won’t find anything powered by wind, water or the sun in this roundup of unexpected energy sources. These unusually powered creations harvest energy from alternative sources like workouts, tweets, falling sand and chocolate.
Sustainability is ever-present in the minds of designers, engineers and architects and it is becoming increasingly important to come up with clean and creative energy sources. Buildings, cars and products that demand high amounts of energy are making use of solutions like kinetic energy and biofuel for increased efficiency.
These alternate energy sources make the most of out-of-the-box thinking. Some of these ideas pair similar concepts together, such as trash-powered garbage trucks and stair-powered buildings. Other ideas mash up unusual objects like billboards that run on the power of fruit, cars fuelled by alligator fat and poop-powered motorcycles.
65 Unexpected Energy Sources
From Orange-Powered Billboards to Pulse-Powered Music Players:
Laura McQuarrie — May 15, 2013 — Autos

65
Energy-Producing Workstations
Eddi Tornberg Harnesses Power From Office Spaces

64
The Sky Cycle
Pedal-Powered Roller Coaster
63
Person-Propelled Transportation
The Hyperbike is the World's Fastest Human-Powered Vehicle
62
Human Vending Machines
Kit Kat's Man-Powered Promo at London Victoria
61
Human-Powered Motorcycles
The Tesla E-max Runs on Human Body Heat
60
Luminous Power-Harnessing Tiles
The Sustainable Dance Floor Feeds Off of Kinetic Energy to Glow
59
Human-Powered Monorails
The Shweeb
58
Pulse-Powered Music Players
The MP3 Creative Plays Tunes According to Your Body
57
Human-Powered Helicopters
The Gamera Project is Enviromentally Friendly and Physically Demanding
56
Poop-Powered Motorcycles
The Toilet Bike Neo Harnesses the Power of Your Stool for Energy
55
Falling Sand-Powered Lights
These Clever LED Hourglass Lamps use an Alternative Energy Source
54
Pedal-Powered Prison Sentences
Santa Rita do Sapucaí Penitentiary Has Inmates Create Energy
53
Human-Powered Airplanes
The ‘Snowbird Ornithopter' by Todd Reichart Makes Man Fly
52
Hand-Powered Digital Camera
Sony Odo Twirl N' Take
51
Pedal Powered Submarines
The UV from MIT is for Aspiring Captain Nemos
50
Human-Powered Hotel Ammenities
The Bike-Fueled Cottage Lodge TV Operates on Foot Peddling
49
Human Powered Mini Cooper
Beijing Olympic Mini Rickshaw
48
Stair-Powered Buildings
Michael Jantzen Designs a Self-Powered House Based on Stair Walking Energy
47
Bicycle-Powered Washing Machines
Peruvian Village Teams Up With MIT for Clean Clothes
46
Pedal-Powered Coffee Retailers
Bikecaffe
45
Algae-Powered Illuminators
The Latro Lamp from Mike Thompson Runs off of Breath and Water
44
Eco-Friendly Expeditions
The Vegetable Oil-Powered Mitsubishi Van Sets World Record
43
Eco Breathing Scooters
The Air Powered Motorbike Moves with the Driving Force of Compressed Gases
42
Plant-Powered Architecture
Splitterwerk's Algae-Powered Building is Truly Green in its Design
41
Fitness-Powered Lampposts
Energyme Streetlights Promote Exercise and Eco Values
40
Human-Powered Monowheels
Monovelo is Here to Change the Outlook of Night Traffic
39
Gravity-Powered Lamps
The Eco-Friendly GravityLight Provides a Reusable Source of Energy
38
Hand-Powered Accessible Seating
The Velo Modular Sports Interface Turns a Wheelchair into a Bike
37
Swing-Powered Light Posts
The Giraffe Street Lamp Generates Kinetic Energy
36
Cigar-Powered Art Installations
Ronald van der Meijs Pays Tribute to the History of Eindhoven City
35
Cheer-Powered Cars
Volkswagen 'Up! Holland Up!' Campaign Awards People Who Scream Loudest
34
Bicycle-Powered Creameries
'Peddler's Creamery' Puts Pedal to the Metal to Make Ice Cream
33
Compost-Powered Lamps
Haneum Lee's Gaon Street Light Uses Trash for Energy
32
Pedal-Powered Chargers
Nokia's Bike-Powered Cell Phone Chargers are Pedal Powerful
31
Green and Greasy Filipino Police
Cruisers To Run on McDonalds Grease
30
Hand-Powered Computers
OLPC's XO-3 Tablet is Designed for the Third World
29
Human Powered Energy
Get Your Butt To The Gym and Generate Some Electricity
28
Hand-Controlled Snow Vehicles
The HPS is a Human-Powered Eco Vehicle for those Wintry Months
27
Sodium-Powered Model Cars
The Salt Water Monster Truck Toy Uses Alternatives to Fuel
26
Biofuel Buses
The 'Big Green Bus' is Powered by Used Vegetable Oil
25
Chocolate Powered Cars
'WorldFirst F3' Vegetable Racer Built Has Very Green Body Parts
24
Pedal-Powered Water Dispensers
Vitaminwater Company Activate Releases a Cyclable Vending Machine
23
Orange-Powered Billboards
The Tropicana Energie Naturelle Campaign Advocates Clean Energy
22
Hand-Powered Washers
The Laundry Pod Washing Machine is a Green-Friendly Way to Get Clean
21
Automotive Algae Fuel
Bill Gates Funds Sapphire Energy
20
Algae Powered Cars
'Algaeus' Travels Across Country for Eco Film 'FUEL'
19
Workout-Powered Homes
The JF-Kit House is Powered by Exercise Energy
18
Tequila Plant Biofuels
A Global Change Biology Bioenergy Report Unveils an Amazing Biofuel Source
17
Algae Paper Power
These Biodegradable Batteries Could Cut Down on E-Waste
16
Pedal Powered Toilet Paper
Eco Inventions That Stink
15
Bicycle-Powered Music Machines
Cyclo-phone by Marcelo Ertorteguy and Sara Valente Has Rhythm
14
Fruit Energy Sources
The Orange Battery by Caleb Charland Emits a Soft Glow
13
Bicycle-Powered Copper Shredders
Esource by Hal Watts Makes E-Waste Mining Safer and Better
12
Bio-Powered Cell Phones
M13 is a Genetically Engineered Virus that Powers Your Mobile
11
Human Biofuel Sources
Revolutionary Eco-Box Turns Your Breath Into Fuel
10
Garbage Powered Trucks
World's First Garbage Truck Fueled by Its Own Trash
9
Energy from Manure
Biogas Technology Uses Cow Poop to Create Power
8
Bicycle-Powered Websites
The Earth Hour 2011 Web Cycle Uses Human Energy to Power Its Website
7
Car-Fueling Reptiles
You Could Be Filling Your Vehicle with Alligator Fat Soon
6
AIR Powered Go-Karts
Breathe In, Breathe Out
5
Bacteria Bioenergy
Keerthi Venkataramanan Uncovers a Brilliant Way To Recycle Biofuel Byproducts
4
Algae-Powered Aircraft
The EADS' First Algae-Fueled Airplane Runs on Slimy Biofuel
3
Tweet-Powered Cuckoo Clock
#Flock by Berg Connects to Twitter to Alert Users to Replies and More
2
Windy Social Media Interactions
The Weather Channel's Tweet Powered Tornado Launches on Interns
1
Oxygen-Manufactured Fuel
Air Fuel Synthesis’ New Process Creates Gas Made From Air
Related Ideas
Roof-Mounted EV Charging Systems
The GoSun SUN Delivers 1,200 Watts of Clean Energy for EVs
Solar-Ready Portable Power Banks
The GoSun Power 266 Has a Highly Mobile Design
Wind Turbine Compact Houses
Blade-Made Converts a Part of a Wind Turbine to a Micro Home
Food Waste Sneakers
Hellmann's Canada Launched 1352: Refreshed Sneakers with Food Waste Items
Travel-Ready Wind Turbines
The Aurea Technologies 'Shine 2.0' Wind Turbine Generator
Expanding Off-Grid Electric RVs
The Electric Transformer House is Sustainable and Luxurious
Off-Grid Solar Energy Units
The 'Iris' Portable Solar Tracker Has an All-in-One Design
Glow-in-the-Dark Water Bottles
Frank Green's Limited-Edition Bottles Support After-Dark Sipping
Multifunctional Power Bank Concepts
Abeer Mahadane Designs the Audio1 Concept Inspired by Braun
Eco-Friendly Retail Pop-Ups
Stella McCartney's Ibiza Pop-Up Uses Recycled Wood; Efficient Lighting
Nature-Inspired Solar Panel Trees
New World Wind Develops the Aeroleaf Hybrid Technology
Alternative Energy Drinks
AVVIKA Delivers a Natural, Better-for-You Boost Without Caffeine
Iced Energy Beverages
Starbucks Iced Energy Energizes Mind and Body with Plant-Based Caffeine
Artistic Lamppost EV Chargers
The Voltpost Provides Easy Access to EV Charging
Sustainable Electric Bike Concepts
Przemysław Wolnicki Designed the Concept E-THUNDER Bike
Water-Ready Sports Car Concepts
The Citroën Above and Under by Sangheon Chung is Transformative
Eco-Friendly Offices
Office@27 by Sanjay Puri Architects is Enhanced by Ancient Indian Principles
Futuristic Imaginative Design Concepts
Toyota Introduces the Unique E-Collection of Products
Sustainable Airport Terminal Designs
This Lush Green Terminal is Powered By Renewable Energy
Biotech-Informed Surfboard Designs
The BATTBOARD Electric Surfboard is Ready for the Water
Immersive Solar-Powered Installations
Marjan van Aubel & Lexus Unveil the 8 Minutes and 20 Seconds
Energy Drink Influencer Partnerships
Uptime Energy Has Announced New Partnerships with Influencers
AI-Powered Recycling Systems
The Conceptual 'Binko' Recycling Machine Automates Sorting
Solar-Lined Energy Towers
Foster + Partners Released Designs of Solar Towers for Moon Use
Pager-Inspired Power Banks
The Conceptual Beeper Power Bank by PTPC is Vintage-Modern
Street Lamp Charging Stations
The 'EVIE' Lamppost EV Charger Maximizes Power Access
Device-Charging Sun Hats
The EcoFlow Power Hat Generates Electricity When Worn in the Sun
Corn Cob-Made Wall Cladding
StoneCycling and Studio Nina van Bart Design the CornWall
Magnetic Plant-Based Power Banks
The Native Union (Re)Classic Power Bank is Slim and Stylish
Power-Producing Home Designs
'House W' but the Florian Busch Architects is Barn-Shaped
Organic Energy Juice Shots
Trader Joe's Organic Energy Juice Shot Will Power Your Through the Day
Eco Strategy Games
Catan - New Energies Puts a Modern, Sustainable Twist on the Strategy Game
No-Plug E-Bikes
The Third Generation Pi-Pop Bike Charges a Supercapacitor with Energy Regeneration
Timeless Sports Drinks
Ancient Drinks Offers Time-Honored Recipes for Enhanced Energy
Hydrating Outdoor Billboards
Gatorade's BPM Pay Panels Replenish Urban Athletees on the Go
Resurrected Used Smartphones
Think Tank Team Makes Artifacts with Project Afterlife
Solar Powered Wireless Speakers
Urbanista Designs the New Waterproof Malibu Speakers
Biophilic Design Electric Vehicles
The AZULIK Mobility Electric Vehicle is Nature-Inspired
Wearable Solar Power Stations
BLUETTI's Latest Power Solution is a Solar-Powered Backpack
Everyday Sustainable Bags
Out of the Woods Offers Versatile Bags for Essentials
Dessert-Inspired Portable Chargers
A Team of Designers Create the Little Ice Cream Chargers
Oddball Penny-Farthing Bikes
This High-Wheel Bike Features a Motor and Battery
Self-Sufficient Housing Solutions
The 'Hillcrest House' is Entirely Solar-Powered
Sound-Absorbing Recycled Materials
Mathilde Wittock Creates the Soundbounce Material
Innovative Outdoor Advertising Campaigns
Unilever's Dirt is Good Turns Billboards into Playgrounds
Compost-Turned Paint Toolkits
A Team at Virginia Tech Developed the Sustainable Painting Art Kit
Battery-Powered Outdoor Appliances
The BLUETTI SwapSolar Ecosystem Features Three Products
Basketball-Inspired Tech Chargers
The KUXIU Wireless Charger Powers Devices in a Playful Way
Sustainable Solar Portable Lights
Flying Objects Designs the Iggy Lamp Inspired by Kerosene Light
Solar-Powered Rail Bus Systems
The RTA in Dubai Presents Plans for Floc Duo Rail System
Environment-First Tourism Festivals
Paradise City Festival in Belgium Won Sustainability Awards
Plant-Based Energy Bites
Daily Harvest Bites are Fueled by Real, Organic, Plant-Based Ingredients
Upcycled Circular Design Products
Cyrc Designs Expansive Products with Sustainable Themes
Upcycled Water Tower Chandeliers
Richard Haining Designs the Sustainable Stacked Chandelier
Solar Energy Camping Platforms
Electric Outdoors Unveils the EO Canopy Platform
Food-Based Toy Block Alternatives
LEGO Replaces its Plastic Bricks with a Eco-Friendly Options
Climate Crisis Awareness Exhibitions
Kinetic Singapore Unveils the School of Tomorrow Exhibition
Solar-Powered Autonomous Vehicles
The 'Ada' Autonomous Vehicle Concept is Passively Charged
Orange Peel Waste-Made Lamps
Alkesh Parmar Designs the Sustainable Apeel Pendant Lamp
Energy-Efficient Office Buildings
This Czech Office Complex is Outfitted With Eco-Friendly Designs
Food Waste Bioplastics Factories
Agrorenew is Transforming Watermelon Waste into Bioplastics
Edible Construction Cements
Japanese Scientists Produce Edible Cement from Food Waste
Drinking Water Home Appliances
Sprout Presents the Atmospheric Water Generator Inspired by NASA
Waste-Transformed Biomaterials
Laura Bordini's By Osmosis Project Explores Product Waste
Continuous Energy Capture Systems
This Soleolico 3D-Printed Wind Turbine Works Around the Clock
Wind-Powered Cargo Ships
Mitsubishi Corporation Retrofits Pyxis Ocean for Sustainability Purposes
Uncompromising Energy Drinks
Oasis Energy Drink Refuels and Focuses with Natural Ingredients
Solar Rainwater-Storing Roofs
Researchers in the Netherlands are Developing 'Blue-Green Roofs'
Paper-Made Dissolvable E-Waste
Franziska Kerber Designs a New Source of Sustainable Electronic
Frozen Treat Power Banks
The Conceptual 'PoPsic' Charger Has a Charming Yet Functional Design
Forward-Thinking Tech Products
FOSSiBOT Debuts Its Energy Storage & Rugged Smartphone Technology
Interactive Kinetic Sculptures
This Dynamic Sculpture Takes Its Cue From Tide and Wind Data
Colored Glass Solar Panels
inQs Beautiful Solar Panels Look Like Stain Glass
Solar-Powered Cargo Bikes
The Inga from Infinite Mobility Promises Free Charging via Solar Energy
Design-Conscious Power Stations
Yoshino Solid-State Portable Power Stations Come in Four Models
Collaborative Upcycled Collections
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Works with Toyota for Upcycled Goods
Upcycled Material Musical Instruments
The Yamaha Upcycling Guitar Concept Models are Sustainable
Game-Inspired Energy Mixes
G Fuel Energy is Launching a New Cyberpunk-Themed Collector's Box
Water-Powered Family Residences
Studio Bark Unveils its Plans for the Breach House Design
Hyper-Efficient Thermal Batteries
These Carbon Batteries Can Store & Transmit Clean Energy
Bendable Battery Designs
Anthro Energy's Flexible Battery Was Showcased at the Beacon Exhibition
Improved Battery Designs
A Corn-Based Coating Boosts Battery Sustainability
Illuminated Charger Design Concepts
Jones & Partners Presents a Look at the New Current Concept
Aesthetic Functional Power Stations
The 'The Force' Power Station Comes in Three Capacities
Upcycled Plastic Construction Companies
'Kubik' Uses Plastic Waste as a Sustainable Material
Tire-Crafted Solar Stills
The Floating Solar Still is an Eco-Friendly Way to Purify Water
Phosphorescent Energy Drink Cans
Dynami:t's Cans Glow with Neon and Superbright Effects
Energy-Neutral Media Pavilions
AMDL Circle Designs the Novartis Pavilion in Basel, Switzerland
Unwinding Multifunctional Charging Stations
EFFEKT Designs the Better Energy Charge Park
Electronic Packaging-Made Stools
Razeen Mohammed Designs the Portable EDGAR Stool
Microplastic Particle-Transformed Designs
The Tyre Collective Creates Products from Particles
Zero-Sugar Energy Expansions
Sneak Energy Confirms its Expansion with World of Sweets
Sustainable Energy Product Lines
Wolseley Group Launches the Renewables by Wolseley Line
Sustainable Battery Recycling
Call2Recycle Canada Partners with BWH Hotels for New Project
Music-Forward Car Events
David Guetta x Porsche Electrify Dubai with High-Octane Sound and Speed
Trolley-Style Power Stations
The UGREEN PowerRoam 2200 Has a 2,048Wh Capacity
DIY Robotics Toys
The WindBots from Thames & Kosmos are Intricate Learning Toys
Battery-Powered Food Trucks
Food Trucks are Replacing Dirty Generators with Clean Battery Systems
Off-Grid Solar Panel Residences
Florian Busch Architects Designs the House W in Japan
Petite Solar-Powered EVs
The 'Buggy' is a Micro Vehicle That Offers Comfortably Compact Motoring
Clean Energy Battery Companies
Greenworks Group Has Been Featured in The Human Component
Progressive Solar-Powered Fridges
Amped Innovation Unveils the Sustainable EasyFreeze Fridge
Repurposed Electric Scooter Series
Andra Formen Designs the E-metabolism Collection
Eco-Friendly Cafe Vehicles
This Conceptual Solar-Powered Coffee Truck Operates Anywhere
Biological Recycling Parkas
Stella McCartney & Protein Evolution Create Designs with AI & Biology
3D Solar Panel Modules
The TIPA Design is Made with a Chamber of Mirrors to Maximize Energy
Vehicle-to-Grid Technology Partnerships
Toyota and Pepco Join Forces on a New Project
Zero-Carbon City Concept Installations
Finding Infinity Presents the New Normal Exhibition
Portable Power Station Rentals
The Portable Power Station Hire is Affordable
Doughnut-Shaped Elevated Houses
Studio Saxe Designs the Sinfornia Verde in Carate, Costa Rica
Research-Centric Hydrogen Motorcycles
This Open-Source Two-Wheeler Aims to Encourage Innovation
Crank-Powered Wireless Peripherals
Lenovo's Latest Mouse and Keyboard are Powered by a Crank
Electronic Waste-Built Racing Cars
Lazerian and Envision Racing Design the Recover-E Series
U-Shaped Power Strip Concepts
Michael Kritzer Designs the New Magnet-Like Power Strip Concept
Reanimated Power Plant Parks
BIG Reimagined a Power Plant from 1950s on Manresa Island
Rice-Centric Outdoor Installations
Carlo Ratti Associati and Italo Rota Present Sunrice
Affordable Portable Power Solutions
OUPES Balances Between Preparedness and Recreation
Sculpted Solar-Powered Earbuds
The Urbanista Phoenix Earbuds Offer 40-Hours of Playback
Deconstructed Windmill Installations
Taiyi Yu Presents the W.I.P.: Windmill In Play Installation
Durable Energy Infrastructures
Beam Global's EV ARC™ Maintained Operation During the Hurricane
Solar Cell Cycling Paths
These Dutch Cycling Paths Are Sheathed In Photovoltaic Cells
Naturally Powered Hotel Toiletries
25hours Hotels Stocks Eco-Friendly Toiletries from Soeder
Hyper-Fast Charging Stations
New York City's Latest EV Charging Supercenter is Powered by Gravity
Barn-Inspired Timber Residences
Florian Busch Architects Designs the House W in Japan
Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters
Wunderman Thompson Morocco Creates the Life-Saving Outdoors
Recycled Ship Sail Pavilions
The Breeze Installation is Installed at Chart Art Fair
Light-Powered Racing Toys
Light’n Race Uses and Teaches Fundamental Physics Principles
Cartoon-Themed Energy Mixes
G FUEL Unveils a Collaboration with Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Solar Generator-Integrated Backpacks
The Handsfree 2 Backpack by BLUETTI has a Power Station
Plant-Aiding Hydroponic Systems
turf is an Energy-Harvesting Conceptual Cultivation System
Natural Material-Transformed Artworks
Borrowed Earth Collaborative Uses Natural Materials for Art
Rooftop Walkway-Topped Buildings
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Completes the Shenzhen Energy Ring
Provocative Eco Screensavers
Planet-Saving Screen Savers Encourage Switching Off Devices
Performance-Driven Portable Power Station
Growatt Introduces the Infinity 2000
Suitcase-Style Power Stations
The Enginuity Portable Power Station is App-Connected
Solar-Powered Heated Seats
The GoSun Solar Seat Offers Warmth on Cold Days
Nature-Inspired Design Objects
Students at Tecnológico de Monterrey Design the Plant-Based Series
Efficient Fact Generators
Facts Generator Can Produce Interesting Facts About Any Subject
App-Enabled Off-Grid Power Stations
The GROWATT Infinity 1200 Has 12 Outlets for Power Accesss
Sugar-Free Energy Supplements
Nature's Sunshine Boasts the Low-Calorie Solstic Energy