Carolina Macedo investigates why most gyms are not investing in energy harvesting exercise equipment as part of her MSc Sustainable Resource Management dissertation.
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On a typical term time day at 6pm I found myself competing with other users at the Pleasance gym to use a cross trainer. Every piece of equipment was being used and the cardio floor looked like a factory floor, where high-speed systematic motions were working in the production of energy. Then it hit me, what if we could use the energy produced from human exercise and convert it into usable electric energy. I went home that night and researched if such technology existed and if it was commercially available.
Turns out that over the past decade, scientists and engineers have been designing energy harvesting technology that captures, converts and stores small quantities of energy from a variety of naturally occurring energy sources; one of them being from kinetic energy produced from human exercise. In fact, a handful of gym equipment manufacturers (including the manufacturer the Pleasance gym bought equipment from) offer different retrofitted exercise equipment such as spin bikes and elliptical machines, to harness kinetic energy produced from human exercise and convert it into usable electricity. So why were gyms, like the Pleasance gym who was already taking energy efficiency measures and had a relationship with a potential supplier, not investing in this technology?
After further research, I found that retrofitted bicycles with energy harvesting systems were being used for educational, corporate and entertainment events to power movie screenings, smoothie makers and charge phones. Similar technology was also being used in energy-deprived situations to power light bulbs, blend grains and cereals, and in post-hurricane sites for people to charge their phones. So I decided to evaluate the costs and benefits of retrofitting stationary bicycles with energy harvesting systems in the context of a gym, home, leisure centre and energy deprived situation. Questionnaires were first conducted to capture the relevant social and environmental benefits and costs that were neither easily quantifiable, measured or equated with a monetary valuation. Then an economic feasibility study was carried out to investigate if adopting this technology in each setting was financially cost-beneficial.
For the gym, leisure centre and home context it was concluded that this energy source does not generate substantial amounts of electricity or cost savings in electricity bills to be considered by users and gyms. Students did not show greater interest and support for replacing regular cardio equipment for more environmentally friendly ones. Also, participants were not aware of how this technology could contribute to reducing our environmental impact. The energy deprived situation questionnaire was answered by volunteers involved in Syrian refugee camps in Greece and Jordan. It was concluded that this technology would not be suitable in the Jordan camp due to safety issues and the physical infrastructure of the camp, but in Greek camps, it would be suitable mainly for entertainment purposes such as film screenings (as long as the funds were available).
I realised that the opportunity costs of this technology are not a monetary cost, but a lost long-lasting additional benefit of educating people on energy consciousness, changing people’s attitudes on energy consumption in energy-intensive societies and an opportunity for making the living conditions of people in energy-deprived situations more bearable. If suppliers of energy harvesting cardio equipment increase consumer awareness of their products and fitness facility users showed greater interest in them, this would drive manufacturers to improve the efficiency and reduce the high costs of retrofitted stationary bicycles. This, in turn, would yield greater financial, social and environmental benefits.
Outdoor Energy Storage (Portable Power)
Recently, outdoor energy storage, a branch of new energy storage, has suddenly exploded in the global market.
According to public information, in the past 4 years, the size of the portable energy storage market has increased by 23 times. From the perspective of sales distribution, the US and Japanese markets account for more than 75%. Chinese companies have become the biggest beneficiaries of this wave of market boom. According to data, China's output of portable energy storage products accounted for 91.9% of the world's total in .
The portable energy storage market is growing rapidly. In addition to the increase in demand for outdoor products brought about by the unblocking of overseas markets, technological changes on the supply side are also factors that cannot be ignored. The development of the new energy automobile industry has greatly improved the energy storage efficiency of lithium batteries, but the cost has been rapidly reduced. The data shows that the average unit cost of lithium battery packs has fallen by nearly 80% over the past decade.
Research institutions predict that the energy storage market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 48% in the next five years and reach 80 billion yuan in . Unicorns with annual sales of tens of billions will be born in China in the not-too-distant future.
Introduction:
In recent years, the demand for portable power supply solutions has increased significantly due to the growing popularity of outdoor activities and the need for reliable energy sources in remote locations. As a result, outdoor energy storage, also known as portable power, has emerged as a convenient and efficient solution for powering devices on the go. This article explores the concept of outdoor energy storage and its applications in various outdoor settings.
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1. Definition and Components of Outdoor Energy Storage:
Outdoor energy storage refers to the use of portable power systems to store and supply electricity for outdoor activities. These systems typically consist of a rechargeable battery, an inverter, and various input/output ports for connecting different devices. The battery stores the energy, while the inverter converts it into usable AC or DC power. The input/output ports allow for the connection of devices such as smartphones, cameras, camping lights, and even small appliances.
2. Advantages of Outdoor Energy Storage:
a. Portability: The main advantage of outdoor energy storage is its portability. These systems are designed to be lightweight and compact, allowing users to easily carry them in backpacks or travel bags.
b. Versatility: Portable power supplies can be used in a wide range of outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, and boating. They provide a reliable source of power for charging devices or running small appliances, ensuring convenience and comfort in outdoor settings.
c. Renewable Energy Integration: Many portable power systems can be charged using renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines. This enables users to harness clean and sustainable energy while enjoying the outdoors.
3. Applications of Outdoor Energy Storage:
a. Camping: Portable power supplies are essential for camping trips, providing electricity for lighting, charging phones, powering portable refrigerators, and running small cooking appliances.
b. Hiking and Backpacking: Outdoor enthusiasts can rely on portable power supplies to charge their GPS devices, smartphones, and other electronic gadgets during long hikes or backpacking trips.
c. Emergency Preparedness: During emergencies or power outages, portable power supplies can be used to power essential devices like radios, medical equipment, and emergency lights.
d. Outdoor Events: Portable power supplies are commonly used in outdoor events such as festivals, concerts, and sports competitions. They provide a convenient and reliable power source for lighting, sound systems, and other equipment.
Conclusion:
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