Description of Challenge
A pedal power cinema is a cultural event, where the audience produces the energy needed to screen a film. The people are part of the show: some work and bike, some take a break and relax, while others just watch the movie - and all have fun! In the first Pedal power cinema there was a moderator who explained and organised the process. The filmmaker was around and filled in the moments, when the system broke down. The ufaFabrik continues to improve the technics for upcoming pedal power cinemas.Bike-cinema doesn’t mean showing the tour de France, the movie itself has nothing to do with bicycles. But by riding bikes the energy is produced that is needed to screen the movie. The ufaFabrik in Berlin organised a first Pedal Power Cinema in Sept. 2012screening 'Wasteland'. It was part of the Forum 'Creative Strategies of Sustainability', a project in cooperation with 'Engine Room Europe', initiated by the Trans Europe Halles Network.
Solution
This is how we do it: We dismantle the back wheels, the outer tyres as well as the inner tubes and set up a v-belt instead.
This v-belt drives a generator and the generator delivers electricity. This electricity is then forwarded to an inverter which converts the continuous current to an alternating current. And with this alternating current we can screen the movie.
On a speedometer you can read the output power, meaning the voltage and electricity which is generated, so that you have a little taste of your success.
What you need: 10 – 12 bikes, converters, 20 hours to build up the whole construction, a patient technician and an audience that likes experiments.
