The other day we were ranting and raving about the wasted energy opportunity gyms have. All those people working away on treadmills, stationary bikes, and elliptical machines could be generating power to juice up the very buildings they're in. As if on cue, New Scientist came in the mail with a great roundup answering dumb eco questions. One of those dumb questions concerns the validity of our rant. It turns out there is such a gym in Portland. The Green Microgym opened in August and features specially adapted machines that can generate 1000 watts.
For those who don't live in the northwest there's Pedal-a-Watt, a stand that turns your regular road bike into a stationary bike. As you pedal your bike's rear wheel spins a generator. The generator consists of a spinning magnet within a coil of wire. As the magnet spins electricity flows through the coil, which can then be used immediately or stored in a battery.
posted originally from: Unplggd
I have one of these trainers and am psyched to attempt to power something (my iPod, the lights?) with it this winter!
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Perfect timing. My husband, a triathlete, has just started talking about this idea. And we already have a trainer!
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I think this is a neat idea but lets get down to the facts. Assume you pedal real hard for 1 hr per day for 30 days. 1hr on the bike will produce 200 watts of power. 200 watts times say 30 days per month is 6000 watts. We as consumers buy our electricity in Kilowatts. 1 kilowat is 1000 watts. So 6000 watts is just six kilowatts per month. Average price per kilowatt is .10. So all that work for 60 cents. The payback has got to be years. Thanks but no thanks..
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What timing! I recently did a writeup all about that gym in Portland (The Green MicroGym), although this is a great alternative for those not in the area. I wonder how realistic this product as far as actually creating energy, but hey, its a step in the right direction and it beats using electricity to workout. http://www.thechicecologist.com/2008/11/a-great-green-workout-create-your-own-energy-at-the-gym/
The Chic Ecologist
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