CES 2026: Sustainability Tech Takes a Backseat to AI

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas saw an overwhelming presence of artificial intelligence, with every third booth featuring a new AI product. In contrast, sustainability technology was harder to find. The dedicated sustainability section at the Las Vegas Convention Center expanded from 20 booths last year to 38 this year, though this increase was partly due to the combination of energy and sustainability categories.

This change brought in utility companies and battery manufacturers, including South Korea's largest electric utility and a nuclear power company. Despite the larger section, no sustainability products achieved 'best of CES' status. The article highlights several promising companies, including Shine Turbine 2.0 for portable wind power, Flint for biodegradable cellulose batteries, and Clear Drop for plastic compaction.

Other notable innovations included perovskite solar panels from Alpha Power, energy harvesting systems from Green Vigor, and large-scale solar structures from Jackery. While the sector remains sparse compared to AI, these companies represent a continued effort to address global energy and pollution challenges.

The floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center was dominated by familiar consumer electronics, but the sustainability sector struggled for visibility. Every third booth showcased some new AI product, while robotic lawn mowers, humanoid robots, and super-thin TVs were ubiquitous. Finding sustainable products required a deliberate search.

Last year, the Sustainability section contained 20 booths. This year, the count rose to 38. However, this growth was largely attributed to the merger of the energy and sustainability categories. Consequently, the section included exhibitors such as South Korea's largest electric utility company, a nuclear power company from the same country, and numerous battery manufacturers.

One anomaly noted within the section was an AI data platform booth that appeared to have no connection to sustainability, suggesting organizers may have run out of space in the AI pavilion. While there were encouraging displays of devices addressing energy production and pollution, none achieved the status of 'best of CES.' Some technologies were utility-scale and not ready for consumers, while others were too niche or carried too many caveats.

The overall sentiment is that sustainability is not dead at CES, but it is getting sparse. The following companies were identified as having promise and innovative ideas.

Several companies presented solutions aimed at individual consumers or portable applications.

Shine Turbine 2.0

This device serves as a precursor to serious personal wind power generation. The Shine 2.0 requires only a light breeze to generate power for charging smartphones, laptops, or power stations. The unit weighs three pounds and sets up in approximately two minutes. The current model outputs up to 75 watts, with a third version in development targeting 100 watts.

Flint Battery Tech

Flint produces cellulose batteries, where the chemicals inside are made from cellulose rather than paper wrapping. The chemistry is solvent-free, lithium-free, and PFAS-free. These batteries break down by 70 percent in four weeks in a composting environment. They utilize the same architecture as lithium-ion cells, featuring an anode, cathode, and separator. Flint is currently focused on partnering with manufacturers.

Clear Drop Soft Plastics Compactor

This device creates bricks measuring 8 by 12 by 4 inches from hundreds of grocery bags, bubble wrap, ziplocks, and plastic packaging. One brick is equivalent to a 30-pound trash bag worth of bags. The bricks can be shipped to partner facilities using a pre-paid USPS shipping envelope. Clear Drop currently works with a few US-based recycling facilities.

Alpha Power by CPTI

Perovskite is identified as the 'hottest thing in solar' right now. Alpha Power creates lightweight, flexible perovskite solar panels that can conform to multiple surfaces. These panels are sensitive enough to generate usable energy from indoor illumination. The company is partnering with manufacturers to integrate panels into devices like laptops.

Other innovations focused on building integration and utility-scale power generation.

Green Vigor

Located in the Hong Kong pavilion, Green Vigor offers two solutions to create energy for buildings by harnessing potential energy from existing systems. HydroVigor generates power from water systems, activating every time someone washes hands or flushes a toilet. CoolVigor uses similar principles to harness energy from HVAC systems. HydroVigor is currently in use in many buildings in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Jackery Solar Gazebo

This modular outdoor structure can produce up to 10kWh of power per day. It features customizable options including louvered walls, sunshades, lights, and fans. The solar panels are highly durable; a company representative stood on a sample panel without cracking it, though the official rating is 20 pounds of snow per square foot. The gazebo costs $12,000 and ships in mid-2026.

Bluetti RV Solar System

Known for portable power stations, Bluetti introduced a new power station made with bio-based plastic and a DIY system for adding solar power to existing RVs.

Airloom Wind Power

Airloom presents a utility-scale solution described as a 'roller coaster for wind.' It comprises 40 percent less mass than standard wind turbines and uses 42 percent fewer parts. This design allows for faster deployment and cheaper installation, targeting the energy needs of data centers.

Gaotu Innovation Energy Group

This Shenzhen-based company, in business for 18 years, plans to put solar panels on anything possible. Their booth featured solar-powered hats, fishing chairs, backpacks, sunbrellas, and a car roof-top enclosure that unfurls to charge a Tesla.

Segway Muxi Cargo E-Bike

Segway occupied the single largest booth in the sustainability section. They showcased the Muxi, a cargo e-bike featuring a swappable battery, an optional passenger seat with foot pegs, and an optional middle basket.