Windmills are an age-old concept, but what about wind and air-powered cars, watches and skyscrapers? The environmentally-friendly innovations in the slideshow below highlight the variety of ways in which the wind can be harnessed for clean, renewable power.
My favorite wind and air-powered innovations below are the sports cars. Many of them are powered by both the sun and windâ€"making them perfect for sunny California.
Implications - These 46 wind and air-powered innovations reflect the growing awareness that new forms of sustainable energy are needed to displace the dominance of oil. Renewable energy need not only be used for transportation but also for a range of other every day products.
46 Wind & Air-Powered Innovations
46
Wind Generator for Your Home
45
Wind-Powered Speedsters
The Greenbird Breaks the Land Speed Record at 126.1 MPH
44
Air-Powered Cars
The MDI AirPod
43
World's Smallest Wind Turbine
Blow Light
42
World's Largest Wind Turbine
Enercon's E-126 in Germany
41
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
Aerogenerator
40
The Lighthouse
Green Skyscraper Combines Wind Turbines and Solar Panels
39
Mega Wind Turbines
World's Largest Windmills to be Made in the USA
38
Flower Power
Artistically Inspired Windmills
37
Windpower for Oil
PyroPhase's Radio Frequency Heating Technology Aids Crude Production
36
Wind Powered Outdoor Lighting
Light Wind
35
Wind To Purify Salt Water
High Tech Windmill Could Supply Millions With Water
34
Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine
Green Power is Blowin' in the Wind
33
Solar & Wind Powered Pre-Fab Spa
Desert Winds Eco Spa
32
Wind Energy Reaches New Heights in U.S.
345 Tall Wind Turbine Online
31
Wind Power For The People
$48k for Power Independence
30
Wind-Powered Supercars
Dale Vince's Nemesis is Rechargeable by Nature
29
Wind Powered Cell Phones
Motorola Goes Green in the Jungle
28
Wind Power Expansions
London's 'Quietrevolution' Spins Powerful Presence in the UK (UPDATE)
27
DIY Eco Kits
Sunforce Makes Home Solar Charging & Wind Generation Easy
26
Windbelt Power
Bridge Collapse Inspires Third World Power Innovation
25
Charge Gadgets By Wind or Sun
MINIWIZ HYmini
24
Wind Dam
Cool Russian Eco Initiative
23
Weather-Powered Sportscars
RORMaxx Formula AE Concept is Sun and Wind Powered
22
Billboard Wind Turbines
Powered by Passing Vehicles
21
Air-Powered Motorcycles
Green Speed Bike Moves by the Power of the Elements
20
Air-Powered Watches
The Urwerk UR 202 Turbine Timepiece
19
Water-Collecting Wind Turbines
Stylish "Eol'eau" Stores Green Energy and Rain
18
Urban Wind Turbines
Concept Would Convert Downtown London to Renewable Energy
17
Neat Self-Knitting Devices
Wind Powered Knitting Machine Knits On its Own
16
Wind-Powered Battery Chargers
The Febot
15
Concept Kite Cars
The Wind Light Vehicle
14
Outdoor Decor Turns Wind Into Light
Firewinder Windlight
13
The Wind Tunnel Footbridge
12
Dual Renewable Energies in the City
Japan Uses Wind and Solar Streetlights
11
Air-Powered Cars
MDI and Tata Collaborate
10
Wind-Powered Kids' Toys
Tamiya 'Loopwing' Car Blends Fun and Eco-Friendliness
9
Gadget-Charging Helmets
The 'Wind-Helmet' Functions Like a Windmill for Bike Riders
8
Wind Turbine Electrical Towers
Wind-it Makes Plans to Combine Energy Producers
7
Air-Powered Batteries
'STAIR' Technology Ushers in a New Era in Alternative Energy
6
Air-Pods at 30,000 Feet
5
Wind-Powered Countries
Spain Sets World Record for Green Power Generation
4
Wind-Free Wind Farms
Using Compressed Air for Constant Clean Power
3
Green Power From Bluewater
Delaware Wind Farm Gets Approval To Proceed
2
Maritime Hydrogen Generation
Power-Seeking 'Windhunter' Water Electrolysis System
1
AIR Powered Go-Karts
Breathe In, Breathe Out
Related Ideas
Hydrogen-Powered Hypersonic Airplanes
The SKY Magnetar Travels at Five-Times the Speed of Sound
Plane-Inspired Vehicle Designs
This Mercedes-Benz Concept Vehicle by Al Yasid Balances Aesthetics
Roof-Mounted EV Charging Systems
The GoSun SUN Delivers 1,200 Watts of Clean Energy for EVs
Personal Air Conditioners
The Silen Cicada is Designed to Cool Users Down During Hot Weather
Origami Travel Solar Panels
Sego Innovations Offers Tech for Powering Farther Off the Grid
Travel-Ready Wind Turbines
The Aurea Technologies 'Shine 2.0' Wind Turbine Generator
Honeycomb-Shaped Wind Turbines
This Bladeless Wind Turbine Design is Easy to Implement Anywhere
Expanding Off-Grid Electric RVs
The Electric Transformer House is Sustainable and Luxurious
Off-Grid Exploration Vans
The Conceptual GAC Van Life Autonomous Vehicle is Eco-Friendly
Two-Wheeled EV Concepts
The 'SHANE' Two-Wheeled Electric Car Concept Has Space for Five
Flying Car Concepts
Alef Aeronautics Comes Closer to Making Flying Cars a Reality with Model-A
Versatile Hydrogen Battery Systems
These Toyota Hydrogen Cartridges Would Work for Cars and More
Hydrodynamic Avian-Inspired Yachts
The WAKINYAN Catamaran Yacht by Aras Kazar is All-Electric
Solar-Powered Smartwatches
This Smartwatch Doesn't Require Battery Charging With Adequate Sunlight
Compact Portable Power Stations
Volcan Creative's Futuristic Power Station is Trustworthy
Elegant Futuristic E-Motorbikes
Jackson Zhang Proposes the Porsche 619 Electric Concept
Automated Vertical Car Parks
Daniel Statham Studio Designs the Future Car Park in China
Autonomous Timber Transportation Shuttles
The Conceptual 'Timber Shuttle' is Eco-Focused
Eco-Friendly Ammonia Engines
These Engines Can Power Automobiles Whilst Curbing Carbon Emissions
Plant-Powered Air Purifiers
The 'Flora' Decorative Air Purifier is Made with Natural Materials
Supersonic Aircraft-Inspired EVs
The Conceptual Concorde 20+ Features Aviation Inspiration
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
Revolutionary eVTOL Air Taxis
This Craft is Designed For Short-Haul Aerial Journeys
Ultra-Efficient Modern AC Units
The Windmill AC is Easy-to-Install, Efficient, Quiet, and Cool
Superyacht-Inspired EV Concepts
The Acura Performance EV Concept Shows Off an Ultra-Modern Form
Futuristic Auto Micro Factories
Most Architecture Unveils a Modern Factory for Charge Cars
Swingarm-Supported Velocars
The 'Tilt4orce' Offers Stability and Safe Leaning Into Turns
Immersive Solar-Powered Installations
Marjan van Aubel & Lexus Unveil the 8 Minutes and 20 Seconds
Aerodynamic Electric Sedans
Volkswagen's 'ID.7' Sedan Offers An Impressive Range Of 700 Kilometers
Device-Charging Sun Hats
The EcoFlow Power Hat Generates Electricity When Worn in the Sun
Retro-Inspired Two Seater EVs
The Pininfarina DYNO by Kanishq Palav Has Hubless Wheels
Emissions-Free Snowmobiles
The Vidde Alfa Electric Snowmobile Was Created with Pininfarina
Hydrogen-Powered Refuse Trucks
Hyzon Motors and New Way Trucks Have Entered into a Partnership
Solar-Powered Electric Motorbikes
Solar Scooters' 'E-Clipse 2' Has Free Charging via Solar Power
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
Folding Wing eVTOL Vehicles
This eVTOL Concept Design by Karina Gotseva is Aerodynamic
Miniature Air Purifier Robots
Sang il Shin Designs the Small PLANI Robot Concept
Riproaring Electric Vans
The 'Ford Supervan 4.2' is Designed For Uphill Racing Performance
Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle Systems
Layer Designs the Croft System to Sustainably Power Vehicles
1920s-Inspired Electric Vehicles
The Bentley Blower Jnr is by Bentley and the Little Car Company
Smart Ceiling Fan Concepts
The FanPro Concept is Inspired by Custom Smartphones
Electric Scooter Concepts
Harley Davidson's LiveWire Unveils Cutting-Edge Scooter Concept
Solar-Powered Charging Robots
The Conceptual Solar Mars Bot Provides Power to Charge Up Solutions
Painterly Air Purifiers
Airmega 250 ART x Hailyhills Purifiers Clean Homes in an Artful Way
Self-Sufficient Housing Solutions
The 'Hillcrest House' is Entirely Solar-Powered
Balcony-Ready Solar Power Systems
This EcoFlow PowerStream System Generates Ample Energy
60s-Inspired Electric Superbikes
Robert Turner Designs a New Electric Superbike Concept
Audacious Electric Supercars
The 'Speirling Pure' Uses Sealed-Skirt Fan Tech to Zip Around Corners
Inaugural Fully Electric Cars
Maserati Debuted the Folgore Model During Milan Design Week
Curvaceous Electric Concept Cars
The 'EV Sport 01' Offers Powerful Performance In a Sleek Package
Direct-to-Consumer Hydropanels
Source Global Seeks to Answer Impending Resource Depletion
Emissions-Free eVTOL Aircraft
This Aircraft Will Utilize a Liquid Hydrogen Powertrain
Hydrogen-Powered Superyacht Models
Feadship Unveils the Project 821 Hydrogen Superyacht
Style-Conscious Air Purifiers
The Windmill Air Purifier Comes in Three Models
Single-Blade Offshore Wind Turbines
The 'TouchWind' Turbine System Can Handle Higher Wind Speeds
Hydrogen-Powered Concept Vehicles
Yamaha Unveils its Hydrogen-Powered Golf Cart, the 'Drive H2'
All-Electric Luxury Cars
Lamborghini Unveils the Lanzador Concept, Its Inaugural All-Electric Auto
Solar-Powered Autonomous Vehicles
The 'Ada' Autonomous Vehicle Concept is Passively Charged
Floating Wind Platforms
This Offshore Platform Allows For Ultra-Efficient Turbine Operations
Energy-Hauling Battery Tankers
This Japanese Tanker Can Transport Surplus Renewable Energy
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
Award-Winning Housing Designs
Hong-En Lin Emphasizes the Importance of Clean Water Access
Industry-Leading Hybrid Supercars
McLaren's 'W1' Supersedes its 'P1' as its Flagship Supercar
Accessible Space Travel Systems
This Space Elevator Concept by Jordan William Hughes is Wondrous
Modular Powered Wheelchair Designs
The 'Fluid' Wheelchair Hand Cycle Supports Quick Movement
Autonomous Solar-Powered Watches
Exoskeleton Watch Powered by an Autonomous Solar Movement
Exceptionally Efficient Solar Cells
These Saudi-Made Solar Cells Use Groundbreaking Materials
Future-Facing Charging Concepts
These Wireless Charger Concepts Imagine a True Wire-Free Future
Low-Cost Battery Alternatives
MIT Scientists Develop Efficient Energy Storage System
Miniature Model Wind Tunnels
The 'Windsible' Desktop Wind Tunnel Comes in Three Sizes
Weekend Excursion City Vehicles
The Playbox Urban Mobility Vehicle is Imagined for 2040
Rejuvenated Former Bank Buildings
This Dutch Building Now Boasts Solar Panels & Insect Hotels
Futuristic Fusion Power Plants
This Power Plant Will Efficiently Contribute to the Electrical Grid
Sustainable Bamboo-Crafted Drones
Deepak Dadheech Designs the Eco-Friendly Bamboo Drone
Retro-Futuristic Headlight Automobiles
BMW Vision's Neue Klasse Gears Towards an Electric Angle
User-Friendly Solar Panels
Kunal Girotra Introduces the Sustainable Lunar Energy System
Electric Sports Car Concepts
Lotus is Designing its 'Theory 1' EV with Three-Seat Design
Sleek Sustainable EV Concepts
The Opel Experimental EV Concept Has Augmented Projection Technology
Turtle-Inspired Sleek Automobiles
Mercedes Benz Presents a Look at the Vision iMobility
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
Zero-Emissions Aircraft
This Battery-Electric Aircraft Aims to Revolutionize Air Travel
Origami-Inspired Solar Panels
Sego Innovations Develops a New Foldable and Portable Solar Panel
Six-Wheel Drive Concept EVs
The Land AIrcraft Carrier by XPENG AEROHY is Made for Exploration
Phosphate Battery-Powered EVs
This Affordable Electric Car Offers a Range Of Above 400 Kilometers
Tire-Crafted Solar Stills
The Floating Solar Still is an Eco-Friendly Way to Purify Water
Zero-Emission Solar-Powered Aircrafts
The Falcon Horizon by Laszlo Nemeth Runs on Solar Power
Sustainable Energy Product Lines
Wolseley Group Launches the Renewables by Wolseley Line
Air Purifying Architectural Towers
Studio Symbiosis Designs the Verto Air Purification Tower
Range-Boosting Aerodynamic Systems
Hyundai's 'Active Air Skirts' Increase the Efficiency Of EVs
Sporty All-Electric Concept Cars
The Volkswagen ID.X Performance Maximizes Electric Capabilities
Flying Umbrella Prototypes
This Hands-Free Device Hovers Above You to Protect From the Rain
Electrified Supercar Concepts
Nissan Showcased the Hyper Force Concept Car at Japan Mobility Show
DIY Robotics Toys
The WindBots from Thames & Kosmos are Intricate Learning Toys
Updated Sustainable API Features
Google Adds New Features to its Ingenious Project Sunroof
E-Bike Charging Partnerships
BikeFlex Partnered with Solarcycle on Renewable Bike Charging
Hybrid-System Futuristic Hypercar Concepts
The Mercedes-AMG ONE Hypercar is Optimally Engineered
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
Design-Forward Air Purifiers
The Windmill Air Purifier Nods to Japanese Scandinavian Minimalism
Electrified Retro Sports Cars
The 'Caterham EV Seven' Will Feature An All-Electric Powertrain
Eco-Friendly Cafe Vehicles
This Conceptual Solar-Powered Coffee Truck Operates Anywhere
Turbine Recycling Services
Enva Launches a Wind Turbine Blade Recycling Service in the UK
Hydrogen-Powered Campervan Concepts
The 'Gen 2 LCV' Concept Would Offer Zero-Emissions Van Life
Lightweight Powered Cargo Carts
The Outisan e-Wagon Air Supports Up to 150-Pounds
Updated Air Taxi Designs
Hyundai Unveils the New Elevated S-A2 Air Taxi During CES
Eco-Friendly Aviation Startups
Ecojet Will Offer Hydrogen-Electric Flights With a Green Ethos
Research-Centric Hydrogen Motorcycles
This Open-Source Two-Wheeler Aims to Encourage Innovation
Zero-Emissions Hypersonic Jets
The Venus Aerospace Stargazer Hypersonic Aircraft Concept is Sleek
Public Flying Air-Taxis
The Public eVTOL Design Project by Joowon Lee Readies for Urban Spaces
Floating Solar Power Plants
This French Power Plant Will Deliver Clean Energy to 2,000 Homes
All-Electric Sports Cars
Porsche's Vision 357 Speedster is an Ultra-Luxurious Model
Epochal Electric VTOLs
Joby Aviation's eVTOL Prototype Could Help Democratize Aerial Commuting
Hydrofoiling Electric Boats
Navier's 'N30' Boat Promises Eco-Friendly Waterway Transportation
Crank-Powered Wireless Peripherals
Lenovo's Latest Mouse and Keyboard are Powered by a Crank
All-Electric Restaurant Concepts
This Chipotle Restaurant Design Harnesses Wind & Solar Power
Electronic Waste-Built Racing Cars
Lazerian and Envision Racing Design the Recover-E Series
Efficient Virtual Power Plants
These Battery-Swap Stations Are Contributing to the Electrical Grid
AI-Empowered Vehicle Designs
Toyota Research Institute Plays Around with Generative AI
Next-Gen Solar-Powered Headphones
Urbanista Los Angeles Over-Ear Headphones Have Powerfoyle
Deconstructed Windmill Installations
Taiyi Yu Presents the W.I.P.: Windmill In Play Installation
Solar-Powered Golf Carts
LOBO EV Marks Its Third Successful Export of Golf Carts to the U.S.
Green Energy-Delivering Ships
This Revolutionary Ship Can Deliver Clean Energy to Vessels At Port
Light-Powered Racing Toys
Light’n Race Uses and Teaches Fundamental Physics Principles
Climate-Friendly Waterfront Homes
From 4 to 1 Creates Three Pavilions in Copenhagen
Perforated Hybrid Supercars
The Aurora V12 has Holes for Aerodynamics and Cooling in its Frame
Portable Wind Turbine Generators
Aurea Technologies Inc. Creates the Ultra-Portable Shine 2.0
Solar Generator-Integrated Backpacks
The Handsfree 2 Backpack by BLUETTI has a Power Station
Hydrogen-Electric Racecars
The ACO and H24Project Unveiled 'MissionH24,' an Eco-Friendly Supercar
Water-Surrounded Summer Homes
Akb Architects Designed the Whistling Wind Islands in Ontario
Provocative Eco Screensavers
Planet-Saving Screen Savers Encourage Switching Off Devices
Futuristic Wave Energy Plants
This Plant Can Harness Marine Energy to Produce Green Hydrogen
Toy Car Aerodynamic Systems
The Miniature Wind Tunnel to Show Off Toy Car Collections
Vintage Hotel-Based Automobiles
Sunset Tower Now Allows Guests to Cruise in Rented Automobiles
Decarbonizing Demonstrator Aircraft
The 'EcoPulse' is Powered By High-Density Batteries
AI-Powered Sail Systems
The 'FastRig' System Allows For Efficient Use Of Wind Power