Brazilian football legend Pelé, on Thursday, helped Shell shine a light on the world's energy future by unveiling a first-of-its-kind player-powered community football pitch in Rio de Janeiro favela.

The project, an invention of a young entrepreneur, has helped solved the electricity challenge experienced by the Morro da Mineira community. The football pitch, a key part of life for favela residents, was refurbished by Shell using 200 high-tech, underground tiles that capture kinetic energy created by the movement of the players. This energy is then stored and combined with the power generated by solar panels next to the pitch to convert into renewable electricity for the new floodlights, giving everyone in the favela, and especially young people, a safe and secure community space at night.

The tiles developed by British startup Pavegen were installed the width and breadth of the field and covered by a layer of AstroTurf.

While the Head of Pavegen, Engineer Laurence Kemball-Cook, took pains not to reveal the exact science behind the tiles, his father and the company's chairman, Richard Kemball-Cook, said they use a system of cogs. When stepped on, the cogs spin like tops and act like generators, he said.

Each tile now costs about 500 US dollars (£310), but the price is falling as the 35-employee company refines its manufacturing process, Mr Kemball-Cook said.

Pavegen has installed similar tiles in train stations in Europe, shopping centres in Australia and Terminal 3 of London's Heathrow Airport, Laurence Kemball-Cook said, but the football field is a first.

Speaking on the innovation, André Araujo, Shell Brazil Country Chair, said: "By 2050, the world will be using 75 per cent more energy than it does now. Meeting that extra demand will require a set of energy sources - and a new generation of scientists and engineers with the passion, ideas and innovation to develop it."

"The pitch proves the potential and power when scientists and entrepreneurs focus their efforts to develop creative and innovative energy solutions. By tapping into the world's passion and interest in football, we aim to capture the attention of youngsters around the world so they think differently about energy and the opportunity of science studies and careers."

The Morro da Mineira project is part of the Shell #makethefuture programme, which aims to inspire young people and entrepreneurs to look at science and engineering as a career choice, and in particular use their minds to develop energy solutions for the future of the planet.

Pelé who joined Shell to officially open the pitch, said the project showed the impact science and sports, when combined, can have on the community.

"Football is Brazil's biggest passion and the sport has gone through so much technological innovation since the last time I played. This new pitch shows the extraordinary things possible when science and sport come together. The Morro da Mineira community will now be able to use this sports facility as a safe gathering place - all thanks to the floodlights powered by the community's football players," Pele said.

Credits: http://go.engineer-ng.net/forum/topics/players-feet-power-football-pitch-lights

great innovation, FP
please

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