When the power goes out, most people reach for flashlights or gas-powered generators. But 19-year-old Noah Bild saw an opportunity to build something better.
The Palm Harbor, Florida, entrepreneur developed a portable energy storage system designed to keep homes running during outages without the noise, fumes, or hassle of traditional backup power, Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported.
From an early age, Bild was driven to build things. He started with radio-controlled cars before venturing into electric hobbies like one-wheeling, where he began experimenting with battery systems.
"Anything hands-on, anything electric," he said, per Fox 13. "I thought the process of being able to power something is super cool."
Working out of his home garage, Bild spent the past two years developing the OffGrid Pro, a commercial-grade portable energy storage unit designed to provide backup power during emergencies like hurricanes.
The idea became especially urgent after last year's hurricane season, when power outages hit his own neighborhood.
"We're close to the water," Bild said. "A lot of our neighbor's power went out. Our power went out."
The OffGrid Pro is designed to be "completely odorless, fumeless, [and] silent," per Fox 13 — a major advantage over gas-powered generators, which can pose serious health risks if used improperly.
The system uses lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are known for their stability and long lifespan.
"Just by the power bank alone, you can run your fridge 2 to 3 days," Bild said. "And once you hook up the solar panels to it, you can pretty much hook it up indefinitely."
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Save $1,000 this year 💸 Bild explained that the OffGrid Pro is engineered to compete with the Tesla Powerwall, offering similar capabilities at about half the cost.
The technology could reshape how households prepare for extreme weather, which is increasing due to Earth's changing climate. By providing a quieter, cleaner backup power source, it reduces pollution while making emergency preparedness safer and more accessible.
Bild has already begun showcasing his product at local festivals and hopes to expand its use to support municipalities in the future. In the long term, he aims to build his own line of electric vehicles, further advancing his commitment to clean energy innovation.
"This is just the start," his mother, Traci Bild, said, per Fox 13. "Anybody that's going to be supporting Noah is going to support the future of what we all may be using in 10 or 15 years."
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