2010 CES Exhibits: Green Technology for a Green Home and Lifestyle

Whereas a "hi-tech" lifestyle leads to an increase in consumption of energy, it is not surprising that manufacturers are producing gadgets and tools to control energy consumption in hybrid products and it's safe to say that these products will subsequently dominate the field of gadgets because they are friendly to our environment.

In the area of chargers, Easy Energy presented the "YoGen", a handheld charger designed with a mechanism similar to a yo-yo to generate up to 5 watts, which is ideal for small gadgets. According to the company, one minute of pulling the rope is enough to power a cell phone. Easy energy also presented the Yogen MaxT, which is a pedal version of the gadget meant to charge a laptop.

In the same heading, CES was a platform to introduce a range of solar chargers and other equipment powered by the same type of energy. These gadgets include garden lights, and various types of lanterns. MiniWiz introduced chargers for AA batteries in their HYmini line which uses wind power to create energy.

Meanwhile Regen plans to launch next June a solar charging system for domestic use. Each solar charger comes with a panel of 6 watts and an integrated battery with a USB port. It also comes with a suction cup to fit in a window facing the sun. The company also introduced lift stations and adapters for iPod and speakers, and a model with LED lighting that serves as a desk lamp.

Eco gadgets have really taken off recently and among the most innovative outlets there is the Tenrehte or smart devices like the "modlet" (modern outlet socket) from ThinkEco. This technology is set to enter the market in early 2011 - it works with software loaded on a USB connected device that can control the modlet from a web application. This will give users the availability to turn on or turn off computers, peripherals or entertainment centers.

Another innovation was the introduction of "automated PowerStrips". HiSaver showed that this technology reduces energy consumption in stand-by mode bringing the consumption quantity to almost zero thanks to an optical sensor that you can hide under a desk. The Australian company is also venturing into the Embertec and will release two smart products in this area, the Z-Wave and Zigbee, using a home wireless network to mitigate the energy expenditure. This will allow your electrical products to maintain a stand-by mode when they aren't in use.

Intelligent homes are also on demand which gave monitors and energy managers have their moment of fame at CES. AlertMe, which is of British origin, is an energy monitor that allows users to control appliances such as heating and lighting systems remotely from a mobile smartphone. The system offers this service along with monitoring for a monthly fee.

Bulbs like the Toshiba E-Core, which will be available in the U.S. in a couple of months, were released in 2 versions, one equivalent to 40 watts of incandescent light that promises to consume only 6 watts and another equivalent to 60 watts which will only consume 8 watts. It is expected for these LED bulbs to contain no mercury and last longer than conventional bulbs. They are meant to give 40 thousand hours of use.

Panasonic also introduced a controllable energy management system that can be operated through a television. Fuel cells will convert natural gas into electricity and they would also generate heat, this would be used to heat the water at home, just as an example.

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