The smallest portable power stations usually come with a few 110v sockets and some USB sockets, and maybe a 12V car cigarette lighter port for small peripherals. From there, it can get pretty advanced; solid-state batteries, 240V power, wireless charging ports, the ability to plug in additional batteries and the option to be powered from a number of power sources, including mains power, solar, car chargers, and even the high-end rapid chargers designed for electric vehicles.
It would be a complete fool’s errand to try to capture everything we saw at CES, but here are a few of the highlights:
EcoFlow’s battery-powered autonomous lawnmower looks more like a cool RC car than a trusty yard trimmer. Image credit: Haje Kamps / TechCrunch
Yoshino claims that its solid state batteries are safer and more stable than those of its competitors. Image Credit: Haje Kamps / TechCrunch
The company also suggests that the new batteries offer faster charging than the old chemistries, going up to 80% capacity in under an hour, and it claims up to twice the power per pound of traditional lithium batteries. Definitely one to keep an eye on. The power stations have oodles of ports, and the wireless charging pads on top of the power stations are a very nice touch.
Not exactly portable, but then again, it isn’t designed to be. Image credit: Haje Kamps / TechCrunch
It powers everything and the kitchen sink, all at once. Image credit: Zendure.
Packing both 120V and 240V voltage, it can power both small appliances like a fridge, and larger home goods like induction cooktops and electric clothes dryers. Hell, with up to 12,000W of power, you can charge two electric cars with it at the same time, should you need to. The price starts at $3,100. Fully maxed out with four external batteries, you’re looking at a price tag north of $15,000.
Geneverse’s new HomePower 2 clocks in with an attractive price tag. Image credit: Geneverse.
None of these stats really move the needle – but the price point does. The smaller power station costs $1,500, and the bigger one is $2,500. You can add two or four solar panels to the power stations, respectively, bringing the price tag to $2,600 or $4,800. With prices like that, at-home backup power is starting to come into range for most home owners. The company didn’t skimp on the batteries either, opting for the ultra-high efficiency LFP/ LiFePO4 (Lithium iron phosphate) battery tech. These are very safe indeed, and provide a lifespan of around 3,000 charge cycles.
One of the largest manufacturers of home electrics has entered the game. Schneider announced EV chargers, battery packs, new smart panels, and much more at CES this year. Image Credit: Schneider
We’ve seen a number of startups in the smart home panel space for a while. What’s new, is that the big boys are joining the fun.
App-controllable, the company launched a brand new energy management solution for home batteries, including a high-power solar inverter, smart electrical panels, EV chargers, along with a slew of additional features. It even picked up a CES Innovation Award for its troubles along the way. Seeing more large power-supply companies entering the market with fully integrated solutions means that the whole industry is well and truly off to the races. Not exactly the sort of thing you can install yourself, but a harbinger of things to come in the near and medium future.
A big CES 2023 trend: all battery power, everywhere, all the time. by Haje Jan Kamps originally published on TechCrunch
