Human powered gyms

Okay, so my MA thesis is on green rehabilitations of rowhouses in Baltimore, and as part of my research, I come across tons of new applications and inventions trying to encourage energy efficiency. Some are great, some are crap. This new project, called "Powered by You" is attempting to take the energy generated by people running on treadmills and on stationary bikes and convert it into electricity to light the gym.

Steve Clinefelder, from the University of California, says that a person cycling at moderate speed on a stationary bike can generate 50 watts of electricity per hour. If a person goes to the gym everyday for one year, that's 18.2 kilowatts of energy generated and 4,380 tons of carbon dioxide not released into the air from coal plants.

Sitting at my desk at work, this would be a great idea to power a computer all day! Hook up a bike.

Granted, it would technically be better to go outside and run, but for some people that's just not feasible due to unsuitable running areas (there are no sidewalks where I live!), need/want for airconditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, etc. This is a good way to get around it.

(via inhabitat)

Similiar is the new sustainable dance club in Amsterdam.