Charge your phone with the fat you burn

• Concept of harvesting electricity from human energy to be initiated as Dewa's CSR.

You may soon be able to light up a bulb while burning fat. Literally. The concept to harvest electricity from human energy has already been working in the UK and Brazil, but now the Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (Dewa) is launching the idea and equipment in Dubai.

Dewa's new corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative called Al Saada (Arabic for 'happiness') will see kinetic and mechanical energy from human beings turned into electricity that can be used to charge a mobile phone, light up equipment, for cooling water or for any other personal devices.

The company said in a statement on Wednesday that it will set up 'specially-designed innovative recreational equipment that anyone can use, including people with special needs and children six years and older' but did not say when and where it would be set up. It said that the smart innovative entertainment platform would include the innovative equipment and sustainable material to produce and store energy and use it later.A Dewa team researched kinetic energy, its benefits and the latest technologies for this innovative initiative for two years and found equipment in the UK and Brazil that works accordingly.

"Dewa is not only involved in the provision of energy services and water, but also makes every effort, through community-oriented programmes designed to make society happier and promote the growth and prosperity of Dubai and throughout the UAE," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa.

The platform comprises three sections that represent energy production, energy use and rational use of energy. The recreational equipment is connected to storing units for energy produced. Those who exercise can use the energy at the same time or later.

The platform will also have games for children that run on the energy produced by their accompanying parents and guardians from their physical activities using the recreational equipment, or energy that is produced by the same games when they play on them.

The area will feature a corner dedicated to environmental awareness and promoting a culture of conservation in entertaining and educational smart ways that are accessible to everyone, especially the young, using advanced educational tools.

Dewa has signed an MoU with Gebal Group, representatives of the UK-based The Great Outdoor Gym Company, in the Middle East. The two sides will implement and operate the project. The group has installed outdoor equipment that turn energy into electricity across UK.

Alex Charawani, Managing Partner of Gebal Group said: "Dubai is already a 'world city' of the highest profile with a great many world-class attractions, and the provision of these innovative outdoor spaces will provide yet another way for families here to spend their time together in an enjoyable and healthy manner, harnessing renewable and clean energy in an entertaining and educational way."

Power points

> Movement produces kinetic energy, which can be converted into power

> With every step you take on a treadmill and with every bicep curl, you turn surplus calories into motion that could drive a generator and produce electricity. The energy from one person's workout may not be much, but 100 people could contribute significantly to a facility's power needs.

http://khaleejtimes.com/nation/general/dewa-to-harvest-power-from-human-energy-in-new-initiative