Every time this happens to me I head out into the garden or walk through the woods. Usually clears it up for a while.

I wonder if you’d get better mileage out of a high efficiency 12v brick, and a 5v and 3.3v DC-DC converter? Without changing your hardware out for a NUC or Raspberry Pi, I’m not sure if you can really go lower power. Maybe install a solar panel on your balcony for free electricity lol

Start attending local government meetings, it’s full of gossip and complex backstory.