Shopping energy

Project

268152

Status

Submitted

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NEW EUROPEAN BAUHAUS RISING STARS : concepts or ideas submitted by young talents (aged 30 or less)

Project title

Shopping energy

Full concept/idea title

Description

The "Shopping energy" project is a working prototype of a shopping cart that produces "clean", "green" electricity in its mechanical motion, with which the customer can charge his mobile phone while shopping and the remaining energy to be used for the energy needs of the store through being accumulated in a larger battery (Power Hub).

Where is your concept/idea being developed or intended to be implemented in the EU?

Please provide a summary of your concept/ idea

The "Shopping energy" project is a working prototype of a shopping cart that produces "clean", "green" electricity in its mechanical motion. The wheel of the shopping cart has a built-in generator connected to a portable battery, which stores the energy produced, with which the customer can charge his mobile phone while shopping. Tests conducted in a real environment in a large hypermarket confirm that the constructed prototype of a shopping cart has optimal technological parameters that allow free shopping (move / stop, forward / reverse, fast / slow), which is closest to customer behavior in the store, and customers can generate enough energy to charge their mobile phones. After shopping, each cart is left in the parking lot. Connecting it to the other carts, the remaining energy in the portable battery can be transferred to a larger rechargeable battery (Power Hub). Theoretical calculations show that the energy generated by the shopping carts of all customers in the store is sufficient to power the parking lot lighting, the drive of the store doors and other energy needs.

Please give information about the key objectives of your concept/idea in terms of sustainability and how these would be met

On one hand, the modern technological world needs more and more energy, while on the other hand, its production through fuel combustion pollutes the environment. Today, more than ever, we need alternative energy sources. The problem is topical and is fully in line with the priorities set out in the Global Sustainable Development Goals, in particular objective 7 for renewable energy and objective 13 for combating climate change. Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. Each of us has the power to make a difference and even small changes and innovations in our daily lives can provide a better quality of life and a chance for future generations. Our shopping cart is an alternative and affordable way to produce "clean" energy from the mechanical movement of the wheels of the cart. The investment in the equipment of shopping carts is one-time, and the benefits are long-term. The produced "green" energy saves electricity, reduces the combustion of fuels for its production, and reduces the carbon footprint.

Please give information about the key objectives of your concept/idea in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience beyond functionality and how these would be met

The design of our innovative shopping cart is in line with customer convenience. The generator does not interfere with the movement of the wheels of the cart. The mounted phone holder on the handle of the cart ensures its safe and stable placement when shopping. The cart is extremely efficient for the customer, because even at low speeds, it generates enough voltage and enough energy to charge the battery and the customer’s  phone. The cart is safe for the customer and the environment.

Please give information about the key objectives of your concept/idea in terms of inclusion and how these would be been met

The aim of the project "Shopping Energy" is to develop an alternative and affordable way to produce "clean" energy by constructing a shopping cart which generates electricity during its mechanical movement. Establishing the optimal technological parameters of the shopping cart that allow the energy to provide power for customers’ mobile phones while shopping and the remaining energy to be used for the energy needs of the store through being accumulated in a larger battery (Power Hub). To achieve this goal, the following activities have been successfully completed: research of information, consultation with specialist engineers, setting clear and precise criteria for the efficiency of the cart, participation in various competitions and providing funding for the purchase of necessary parts, construction of a prototype market shopping cart, real-world testing in a hypermarket chain, data analysis and prototype improvement. Improvements have been made to the original prototype. For maximum protection of the generator, the wheel has been replaced with a built-in generator and a higher power of 350W. A controller is installed in order to convert the generated voltage from the generator into suitable such for storage in the battery. When the battery voltage is not enough, the controller acts as a protection, preventing the voltage from falling below what is needed to charge the battery. A new rechargeable battery is installed. A boost converter is installed, which allows at low speed to achieve high voltage to charge the consumer. Currently, the shopping cart is certified in a licensed laboratory. The certificate guarantees safe use of the cart by the customer in the store and the absence of harmful effects on the environment.

Please explain the innovative character of your concept/ idea

The "Shopping energy" project achieves a balance in the principles of sustainable development - environmental, social and economic. Our innovative idea turns shopping carts into moving mini-power plants of "green" energy, offers economic benefits for hypermarkets and convenience for the customer, saves the burning of coal and the emission of harmful gases from them into the atmosphere.  

Please detail the plans you have for the further development, promotion and/or implementation of your concept/idea, with a particular attention to the initiatives to be taken before May 2022

Upcoming activities:  1. Recording of a commercial video.  2. Testing of the certified shopping cart by the customers in a real environment in a chain of hypermarkets. 3. Providing a larger number of shopping carts in hypermarkets and connecting them to the Power Hub station. If the store has a solar system for electricity production, the energy accumulated from the carts can be accumulated to an already built such station. Another option is for the Power Hub station to be combined and powered by solar energy and energy from shopping carts, for even greater efficiency. The investment in the equipment of the shopping carts and the Power Hub station is one-time and long-lasting, and the generated energy accumulated in the Power Hub station can be used in the long run for lighting the store, parking lot, door operating systems and others.

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that the proposed concept/idea has not been proposed for the New European Bauhaus Rising Stars Awards more than once in the same category.