Generating electricity by cycling

[Tim]

Hello, just had an enquiry from someone who apparently needs to generate electricity at a premises in Antarctica. Is there a well-established way to do this? I remember seeing a cobbled together mobile phone charging system using pedal power at an exhibition, but is there a company that manufactures serious battery charging stationary cycles?

Talking of polar conditions, my Agattu carried me and a weeks shopping back from Sainsbury's in safety this lunchtime. Only problem was sludge kicked up by passing cars. Unlike my right lower trouser leg, the Agattu shrugged it off no problem.

 

[Fecn]

Is this the sort of thing you mean?

That one's from the Inverness Highland Emergency Centre... It's to run the ventillation systems in the event of a power failure. I found it a few years back when I was trying to buy an old nuclear bunker to run as a hosting centre.

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

Hello, just had an enquiry from someone who apparently needs to generate electricity at a premises in Antarctica. Is there a well-established way to do this? I remember seeing a cobbled together mobile phone charging system using pedal power at an exhibition, but is there a company that manufactures serious battery charging stationary cycles?

Talking of polar conditions, my Agattu carried me and a weeks shopping back from Sainsbury's in safety this lunchtime. Only problem was sludge kicked up by passing cars. Unlike my right lower trouser leg, the Agattu shrugged it off no problem.

As far as im aware, you will be able to generate small amounts enough to power small electrical items such as phones, lights and maybe a laptop but in such an inhospitable place, i would think a generator is a must.

 

[Fecn]

I just did a little googling and found one made by a company called Windstream. It takes the form of a trailer/stand with the generator built in. The stand raises the back wheel off the ground and then uses the tyre friction to drive the generator around... Don't know if it's any use to you - They're in the US, but that probably doesn't make much difference if the final destination is Antartica.

Human Power Trainer -- Windstream Power

 

[Tim]

Is this the sort of thing you mean?

That one's from the Inverness Highland Emergency Centre... It's to run the ventillation systems in the event of a power failure. I found it a few years back when I was trying to buy an old nuclear bunker to run as a hosting centre.

Looks like deep linking is verboten. I assume it was these?
RSG: Sites: Inverness - Highland Emergency Centre (Raigmore)

Now would the amount of breathable air consumed to keep the ventilation system running in this way be less than, equal to or greater than that produced?

I like the incongruity of seeing bicycles ready to go in that setting.

 

[Rod Tibbs]

I can't think anyone needs to generate electricty "at his premises in Antarctica." When I was in the Antarctic we had three huge diesel generators, one running, one on standby and one being overhauled. That is the way the British Antarctic Survey does it and that is the way any serious base in Antarctica does it. You simply die if you don't.

Frankly someone is pulling your leg!

Rod