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Pedal Power: The energy of tomorrow Pedal Power: The energy of tomorrow Tyler Hickey, Joanna Liao, Deborah Lubanga, Maegan Walser Tyler Hickey, Joanna Liao, Deborah Lubanga, Maegan Walser Abstract Imagine if humans were able to harness the energy exerted during exercise and use it to power everyday life. This idea alone may not solve the energy crisis, but it definitely puts people in the right state of mind. Our work with this topic began with researching exercise bikes and their relation to energy production. We furthered our inquiry to include human energy generation and interest in creating pedal power. The information collected enabled us to construct a functioning energy bike prototype. We also learned that this green method of energy generation can be implemented right away because the technology required is present, and simply needs to be applied. Thus, it is evident that a quick trip to the gym could one day help power society. History Pedal power is defined as “the transfer of energy from a human source through the use of a foot pedal and crank system.” This form of power is most commonly associated with bicycle transportation; however, designs for pedal powered generators date back to the 1960’s. Alex Weir of Edinburgh University built the first prototype for the bike generator system, used to power corn grinders and winnowing machines. At that time, the term Dynapod was used to describe the stationary pedal powered device. Just like today’s energy bikes, a Dynapod could be attached to any piece of equipment and used to generate power. Despite, their similar function, modern energy bikes have seen much more usage than the Dynapod ever did. In fact, several fitness centers, such as the Portland Green MicroGym, have supplemented other green power sources with energy bikes. Unfortunately, pedal power alone cannot solve the energy crisis, but it does prove that a little energy can go a long way. The Question How much energy does the average high school student create? And if bicycles prove to be a viable energy source would the students be interested in using the bikes if they were implemented? Objectives: •Build a functioning exercise energy bicycle •To observe, measure, and record student energy production levels •To gather students’ opinions on the matter •Relate data to other findings and learn more about a energy Our group's Imagine Tomorrow research focused primarily on how much energy the average high schooler can create and if students would consider using bicycles if they proved to be a viable energy source. We worked alongside with students and teachers at Camas High School and a local gym to complete our experiment. The experiment is made up of three parts: Part one was construction, part two, testing, and part three, the survey. Part one was the assembly of the exercise bicycle. With the assistance of Mr. Walser – our mentor – we were able to construct a functioning energy-producing stationary bicycle. Some tests were conducted to fix the flaws in the bicycle, as well as ensuring its stability. Any tests or procedures performed were recorded into the team lab notebook. Two boy and two girls were needed from each grade for the second portion of the experiment. The students were asked to pedal the exercise bicycle for five minutes each, working in one minute intervals. Some guidelines to pedaling were that the student could not pedal over 14 watts or under 13 watts, had to wear comfortable athletic clothing, and must not be ill. At every minute mark the current number of watts, amps, and volts being generated were recorded. After all the trials had been completed we averaged the results for each grade, and gender group within that grade, for watts, amps, and volts. Part three of the procedure was to survey five students in the weight room every day after school for a week. At 2:30 we promptly took a head count of the number of students present, then would continue with the surveying process. Questions we asked included if they would consider working out on an energy- producing exercise bicycle, the amount of time spent in the weight room, and other questions that were necessary. We were sure to gather the names of people we surveyed so that we would not survey the same person twice. When the previous steps had been completed we arranged a meeting with Adam, the owner of the local Portland Green Microgym. During this meeting we asked a series of questions about the costs of his green bicycles, and the average amount of money the gym saves due to the energy produced. Any relative information to the purchasing of exercise energy bicycles was collected. After our visit we analyzed all the information and data we collected throughout the procedure, and from those results we discovered if each of our hypotheses were correct. Our Experiment Survey results •Average time in weight room in a week: 4.56 days •Average time in weight room in a day: 1.42 hours a day. •4 in 5 students would use an energy bike. •12/25 students already use stationary bikes for an average of 16.4 minutes. •23/25 students would be more motivated to pedal for prizes •There was an average of 21 students in the weight room by 2:30 pm each day. •We surveyed: 7 Freshmen 8 Sophomores 5 Juniors 5 Seniors Above: During the bike trails, it was discovered that the typical female student could produce around1.9 watts of energy over the course of sixty seconds. As for male students, they could generate about 1.7 watts in that same time period. Above: This is an example of a screen shot. A screen shot is part of a program that records the amount of watts, volts, and amps the user is currently producing, and the amount of time the person pedals. Special Thanks to… Camas Education Foundation The Staff and Students of Camas High School Our amazing mentor, Mr. Walser and Applied Motion Systems Our families and friends for supporting this project WSU Vancouver Right: Electron Configuration M 250 Watt 24 Volt DC Motor Terminal Block Diode 6AO5/ D64O C13.5F Capacitor Fuse Connectors Batteries B1 AC inverter 400 WATT 120 VAC Polarized Plug Kill A WATT Electricity Usage Meter To Load The Bike Our survey findings adequately showed that Camas High School students would respond well to the integration of pedal power in the school. In fact, stationary bike usage among students would see a 32% increase if energy bikes were added into the school weight room. This number could be raised even more if P.E. teachers and sports coaches considered including energy bikes into their workouts. Students could generate pedal power as opposed to running the mile or to make-up P.E. absences. A visit to the Portland Green MicroGym, a local gym already using energy bikes, gave us the idea of using a prize system to further motivate students to pedal. Our survey even found that 92% of students would pedal for prizes. Through the bike trails, it was discovered that the typical high school student, regardless of gender, could produce approximately 1.8 watts per minute. As a matter of fact, students were able to power a radio with ease during their five minutes of pedaling. This may not have a significant impact on the school energy bill, but it is one less thing that needs to be plugged in. Most of our research findings pointed to the conclusion that pedal power can make more of a difference in a large scale setting. For instance, if every Camas High School student pedaled an energy bike for a 16-minute workout, they could generate 28.8 watts each, for a 46,080-watt output school wide. If each student did this just once a week during the school year, that could make for 1,382,400 watts of pedal power. With the possibility of this much energy generation, pedal power is definitely a green energy source all school should look into. Conclusions Even though, our experiment focused on Camas High School students alone, the obvious next step would be to introduce the idea of pedal power to our community and beyond. If our school were to obtain an energy bike, we would record detailed observation of the reduction of energy bills in response to the use of pedal power. This data could then be presented to other schools to persuade them to purchase energy bikes of their own. Gyms could also be notified of this new technology and implement it like the Green MicroGym and the California Fitness Center “Powered by YOU” already have. We could also talk to Nautilus, a local exercise equipment manufacturer, about putting out a line of energy producing stationary bikes similar to the WeloBike or Windstream companies. In time all stationary bikes could be producing the clean and cheap energy that that has proven to be hot commodity in today’ eco- friendly society. Future Possibilities References Gulland, J. (2008, October/November). Make Electricity While You Exercise. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from <http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/2008-10- 01/Pedal-Powered-Generators.aspx>. Pedal Power Dynapod. (2006, September 24). Retrieved November 15, 2008, from <http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/pedal-power- dynapod/>.
