About this project
kraftwerk - highly innovative portable power plant
$1,529,561
kraftwerk opens up a whole new dimension in freedom and independence when it comes to supplying your mobile electronic devices with energy. Why? Because kraftwerk enables you to generate your own energy using a small, handy device – in such large amounts that you can run your iPhone, tablet, or even your GoPro camera for weeks!
kraftwerk is your very own portable power plant:
- Amazingly small and highly efficient
- Completely independent of any power grid or wall outlet
- Supplies power reliably – anywhere and at any time
- New and pioneering fuel cell technology
- An invaluable advantage both in everyday life and even when traveling to the ends of the earth
With kraftwerk, for the first time in history, you get a device that grants you the freedom of power. See in this video how it works:
We believe in the success of kraftwerk
Since 2008, we have been working on the development and implementation of kraftwerk. Our 25-member team possesses unique expertise in the field of fuel cell systems. Four of our scientists and engineers also hold relevant doctorates, obtained at internationally renowned universities.
Now we have successfully brought kraftwerk to production standard, based on an entire series of flawlessly functioning prototypes. It is protected by more than 27 patent applications. We have qualified industrial partners ready to start series production. With your support, we will be able to start production within a year and turn kraftwerk into a worldwide success. And you will be one of the first to benefit from your own personal power plant!
Now there’s only one small step to take – and to do so we need your help! It is only together that we can raise mobile energy supply to a new and previously unimaginable level, offering limitless freedom for everyone when it comes to using mobile electronic devices – in America and Europe as well as in Africa, Asia and Australia. Help us get this revolution rolling!
Your contribution will help us finance (among other things):
- Special tools for production
- Wholesale purchase of components
insight into the internal workings
kraftwerk is a fuel cell power generator. Based on our unique and award winning microtubular metallic fuel cell technology, kraftwerk directly transforms gas into electricity. The user fills gas into an integrated tank. Whenever power is needed the gas goes into the fuel cell and is converted directly into electricity. A standard 5V USB plug allows you to connect all your electronic devices supported by the USB standard (smartphones, cameras, flashlights, ...).
Our microtubular metallic fuel cells are mass manufactured by powder injection moulding and coating of functional nanolayers. We can manufacture up to 20,000 microtubes per day - enough for 4,000 kraftwerk units. The microtubes are commericaly available. With the money from the kickstarters we will setup the assembly line, optimize the supply chain and finance the circulating capital.
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Risks and challenges
Our core competence lies in the fuel-cell technology. Based on our expertise and many years of experience in this innovative future technology, we have been developing, repeatedly testing and improving kraftwerk after intensive planning since 2008. There is now a series of flawlessly operational kraftwerk prototypes, protected by 27 patent applications.
Nevertheless, the process of taking a technical device from prototype to mass production is slow and involved. Unexpected situations may arise due to a supplier missing a deadline, for example, or technical problems of the supply chain for the mass production. Extensive tests planned before the start of production can result in a need for further improvements in kraftwerk under certain circumstances. This can cause a deadline not being met.
We have prepared ourselves as best as possible for theses unforeseen situations. If it really comes to a delay in the testing, production or supply of kraftwerk, the backers will be informed immediately.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
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Yes! You will be! You will never have to go back to the electric grid!
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kraftwerk is an full-value energy supply! Your wall sockets don´t have a switch either. Just plug in your device and kraftwerk will start to work.
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Yes! kraftwerk is designed to be use indoors and outdoors.
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Yes! You can charge your phone where ever you like. kraftwerk will switch off automatically if it can not operate.
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While kraftwerk is designed to be used on the side, we realized that people like to use it in an upright position. As such kraftwerk can now be used in an upright position.
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You can charge all electronic devices with kraftwerk, which can be charged using a USB-plug.
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That depends on the device you want to charge. kraftwerk uses the common USB plug and thus the charging times are comparable to standard USB chargers.
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You can use lighter gas, camping gas or butane. Cartridges are available all over the world in retail stores at very low prices. It’s no proprietary cartridges system; there are many manufacturers around the world.
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Yes, kraftwerk is designed and tested according to international regulation for carriage in an aircraft cabin (empty and fueled). This will be clearly marked on the device.
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kraftwerk is completely safe when you use it according to the usage instructions.
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kraftwerk has a power output of up to 2W cont.
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No, the fuel cell produces water vapor and carbon dioxide which is also produced by every green plant. There is no damping and no odor.
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No, kraftwerk is not completely silent, but it will be very quiet.
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kraftwerk shows three LED-heartbeats, illuminating the kraftwerk symbol each time you plug in a device. You can see such a heartbeat at the end of the video. If the color of the heartbeat is yellow, the tank is full. The heartbeat turns a darker red color as it gets emptier. These functions are implemented on the next prototype.
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We estimate more than 2 years with standard using and we will give 2 years of warranty. This does not mean that kraftwerk will stop working after two years. It’s a new kind of device, what makes failure predictions hard.
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It's no powerbank, thats why it's not easy to compare. The energy stored in the fuel are for 1.4 oz (40 g) about 56 Wh and for 8 oz (225 g) about 315 Wh.
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The metallic fuel cell of kraftwerk can be stored for years. The tank similar to that of a lighter and the metallic fuel cell is robust against all conditions (hot, cold, dry, humid).
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kraftwerk is getting a bit warm, as it produces energy, but it is completely protected against overheating!
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We will send surveys to all of our backers where you can choose your favorite color combination at the end of our campaign.
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Yes! You can definitely pre-order as many kraftwerk devices as you would like!!!
Just increase your pledge by 99$ for each extra unit! Or you can take a look at our new reward ALL GOOD COMES IN THREES!
If you would like to add 12 cartridges of renewably produced LPG to your existing kraftwerk order simply increase your pledge by 49$!
Estimated delivery for each additional kraftwerk will be Feb 2016, for the ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGE Dec 2015.
We´ll going to ask you in a survey at the end of the campaign, which additional rewards you intended with your pledge. -
Yes! We care for the shipment of kraftwerk and cartridges to your location. There will be no tax on import for you.
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No! While our fuel cell technology is able to do this. kraftwerk will not support this.
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No! If you don´t want to have the line on your personal kraftwerk it´s totally fine with us. You will have the chance at the end of the campaign to tell us, if you don´t want to have the line.
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Yes, we´re able to offer one additional color combination. We launched a voting on hellokraftwerk.com/voting, where everybody can vote for one color: Kickstarter-Green, Arctic Blue or Black Beauty. We´re going to offer kraftwerk in one of these colors additionally.
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We´ll send at the end of the campaign surveys to all of our backers. There you can choose your favorite color combination - and then of course the winner of the voting (Kickstarter Green, Black Beauty OR Arctic Blue) as well.
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Funding period
- (60 days)