Japanese Research Group at Senshu University Develops Bicycle Generator

Together with Taiyo Denon Corp., an equipment maker, and Ito Kogyo, a development and design company, Professor Osaaki Watanuki at the Institute of Information Science, Senshu University, successfully developed a bicycle generator in February 2011. Consisting of two parts attached to the bicycle's rear wheel shaft, the device generates electricity by pedaling. The two parts are a wind-power generator made by Taiyo Denon and an electric storage device that provides constant power output developed by Prof. Watanuki.

The new generator was developed as part of an industry/academia collaboration project for promoting experimental production, and was supported by the Institute of Industrial Promotion Kawasaki. The professor's laboratory has been working on environmental issues under the concept of "advance from saving energy to generating energy," moving towards a low-carbon society. They designed the generator with the aim of utilizing renewable energy such as wind and solar power in everyday life.

They plan to carry out further experiments on power generation and storage in the training room of the Central Gymnasium of Senshu University. According to Prof. Watanuki's estimate, the electricity storage capacity will be 9.6 kWh per day when operating 20 bicycles for eight hours with average power generation of 100 Watts each, with an estimated operation rate of 60 percent. In the future, they intend to create a system to supply a part of the power for the facility's operation.

Posted: 2011/06/13 06:00:15 AM