The UPower service is available via the system message bus. To access the service, use the org.freedesktop.UPower interface on the /org/freedesktop/UPower object on the D-Bus system bus service with the well-known name org.freedesktop.UPower. $ dbus-send --print-reply \ --system \ --dest=org.freedesktop.UPower \ /org/freedesktop/UPower \ org.freedesktop.UPower.EnumerateDevices method return sender=:1.386 -> dest=:1.451 reply_serial=2 array [ object path "/org/freedesktop/UPower/devices/line_power_AC" object path "/org/freedesktop/UPower/devices/battery_BAT0" ] An array of object paths for devices. Enumerate all power objects on the system. An object path for the "display device. Get the object to the "display device", a composite device that represents the status icon to show in desktop environments. You can also access the object directly as its path is guaranteed to be /org/freedesktop/UPower/devices/DisplayDevice. The following standard org.freedesktop.UPower.Device properties will be defined (only IsPresent takes a special meaning): Typethe type of the display device, UPS or Battery. Note that this value can change, as opposed to real devices. Statethe power state of the display device, such as Charging or Discharging. Percentagethe amount of energy left on the device. EnergyAmount of energy (measured in Wh) currently available in the power source. EnergyFullAmount of energy (measured in Wh) in the power source when it's considered full. EnergyRateAmount of energy being drained from the source, measured in W. If positive, the source is being discharged, if negative it's being charged. TimeToEmptyNumber of seconds until the power source is considered empty. TimeToFullNumber of seconds until the power source is considered full. IsPresentWhether a status icon using this information should be presented. IconNameAn icon name representing the device state. WarningLevelThe same as the overall WarningLevel A string representing the critical action configured and available. When the system's power supply is critical (critically low batteries or UPS), the system will take this action. Possible values are: HybridSleep Hibernate PowerOff Object path of device that was added. Emitted when a device is added. Object path of device that was removed. Emitted when a device is removed. Version of the running daemon, e.g. 002. Indicates whether the system is running on battery power. This property is provided for convenience. Indicates if the laptop lid is closed where the display cannot be seen. If the system has a lid device.