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The wind turbine that fits in your backpack

Words by Smiley Team

Get inspired by crowdfunding projects that give back. Learn how entrepreneurs are solving the world's problems by supplying the goods and services we need.

Shine Turbine is a wind turbine that fits in your backpack. It weighs just three pounds, can be set up in two minutes and has been created by entrepreneurs to help us live in a world where clean energy is prioritised. 

Designed and manufactured in Canada, the team managed to secure their funding for the project through an impressive Kickstarter campaign. “Our mission is to provide clean energy independence,” they say. “Shine is the first of a series of renewable power products created by Aurea Technologies Inc. that will provide freedom from the electrical grid.”

Cat Adalay, CEO and founder of Aurea, which created the turbine, said when she was shown Al Gore’s documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, in high school, it really struck her that climate change would be the biggest issue of our lifetime. “As I went on to study engineering I realised that technology and innovation in renewable energy and microgrid systems would play a key and crucial role in helping address climate change,” she says. 

What’s the project?

Shine Turbine is a 40W, 3lb portable wind turbine used for charging handheld electronics. It can rapidly create and store power while being compact and lightweight, explains Cat.

“When it comes to creating energy quickly, the wind is exceptionally efficient,” she says. “This is because wind has a cubic relationship with power. As wind speeds double, power output increases eight times. 

“This paired with Shine’s patent-pending technology – high-efficiency blades and lightweight design – allow it to produce the most amount of energy for the least amount of weight people need to carry compared to any other handheld portable renewable charger.”

[Read more about crowdfunding projects that give back to people and the planet]

Why’s it so important?

“Building a sustainable business is a top priority for us and as we grow we are actively and continuously looking for new ways to improve our manufacturing processes to minimize our environmental footprint,” explains Cat.

 “Up to 85% of Shine’s parts can be recycled when the product reaches its end of life. The box Shine comes in is made of at least 85% certified post-consumer recycled paper and its manual is printed on 100% certified post-consumer recycled paper.”

Cat says the turbine will positively change the way individuals experience, create, and use power. “Wind power is the second-largest producer of clean energy in the world, yet most people don’t have direct access to it,” she says. “Shine changes this reality by providing a convenient, portable, and easy-to-use way for individuals to create their own wind power to keep their handheld devices charged day, and night, rain, cloud, or shine”

Crowdfunding success

Crowdfunding has allowed Aurea to connect with and build an “amazing community of people” who are excited about using Shine and integrating renewable energy into their lives, says Cat.

“Their support has validated the demand for our turbine and has allowed us to scale up our manufacturing within Canada.”

“Shine will empower people to stay connected independently from the energy grid. The product will encourage folks to get outdoors, connect with nature and gain a greater understanding and appreciation for renewable energy. It’s our hope that when people use Shine they will become more conscious of the power they consume and where it comes from.”

Inspiring business to do good

Cat says her best advice for inspiring businesses to give back is to really understand the question of: ‘What problem are you solving?’ 

“The way to get to the root of this is to speak with and gain insight from the people who would use your product and/or service,” she says. “Only then can you truly build a solution that will meet people's needs, create real change, and better the world.”

Could you make this happen in your community? Be part of the change. Or, if you, or someone you know, has launched a crowdfunding social enterprise project, email [email protected].

This article aligns with the following UN SDGs

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