Human Power System

1. INTRODUCTION
Human power is work or energy that is produced from the human body. It can also refer to
the power (rate of work per time) of a human. Power comes primarily from muscles, but body
heat is also used to do work like warming shelters, food, or other humans. World records of
power performance by humans are of interest to work planners and work-process engineers. The
average level of human power that can be maintained over a certain duration of time  — say over
the extent of one minute, or one hour — is interesting to engineers designing work operations in
industry. Human power is occasionally used to generate, and sometimes to store, electrical
energy in batteries for use in the wilderness. Normal human metabolism produces heat at a basal
metabolic rate of around 80 watts. During a bicycle race, an elite cyclist can produce close to
400 watts of mechanical power over an hour and in short bursts over double that — 1000 to 1100
watts; modern racing bicycles have greater than 95% mechanical efficiency. An adult of good
fitness is more likely to average between 50 and 150 watts for an hour of vigorous exercise. Over
an 8-hour work shift, an average, healthy, well-fed and motivated manual laborer may sustain an
output of around 75 watts of work.[2] However, the potential yield of human electric power is
decreased by the inefficiency of any generator device, since all real generators incur considerable
losses during the energy conversion process While attempts have been made to fit electric
generators to exercise equipment, the energy collected is of low value compared to the cost of the
conversion equipment. Several forms of transport utilize human power.

They include the bicycle, wheelchair, walking, skateboard, wheelbarrow, rowing, skis,
and rickshaw. Some forms may utilize more than one person. The historical galley was propelled
by freemen or citizens in ancient times, and by slaves captured by pirates in more recent times.
The Mac Cready Gossamer Condor was the first human-powered aircraft capable of controlled
and sustained flight, making its first flight in 1977. In 2007, Jason Lewis of Expedition
360 became the first person to circumnavigate the globe at non-polar latitudes using only human
power — walking, biking, and rollerblading across the landmasses; and swimming, kayaking,
rowing, and using a 26-foot-long pedal-powered boat to cross the oceans. Human-powered
equipment consists of electrical appliances which can be powered by electricity generated by
human muscle power as an alternative to conventional sources of electricity such as
disposable primary batteries and the electrical grid. Such devices contain electric generators or

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 Human Power System

an induction system to recharge their batteries. Separate crank-operated generators are now
available to recharge battery-powered portable electronic devices such as mobile phones. Others,
such as mechanically powered flashlights, have the generator integrated within the device.An
alternative to rechargeable batteries for electricity storage is supercapacitors, now being used in
some devices such as the mechanically powered flashlight shown here. Devices that store the
energy mechanically, rather than electrically, include clockwork radios with a mainspring, which
is wound up by a crank and turns a generator to power the radio.An early example of regular use
of human-powered electrical equipment is in early telephone systems; current to ring the remote
bell was provided by a subscriber cranking a handle on the telephone, which turned a
small magneto generator. Human-powered devices are useful as emergency equipment,
when natural disaster, war, or civil disturbance make regular power supplies unavailable. They
have also been seen as economical for use in poor countries, where batteries may be expensive
and mains electricity unreliable or unavailable. They are also an environmentally preferable
alternative to the use of disposable batteries, which are wasteful source of energy and may
introduce heavy metals into the environment. Communication is a common application for the
relatively small amount of electric power that can be generated by a human turning a generator.

2. METHODS OF HUMAN POWER GENERATION

2.1. Human Footsteps for Power Generation

Industrial development has led to increased prosperity for many people around the world but has
also led to a depletion of natural resources and environmental damage. The consumption of
fossil fuels, on which industrial development has been largely based, has been recognized as a
major cause of climate change. The impacts on the global ecosystem resulting from climate
change are in turn expected to lead to substantial economic losses. As a result, it is clear that
new means of fueling industrial development must be found in order to avoid compromising the
gains in human welfare that have been achieved over the past decades. People have turned
increasingly to alternative energy sources as an answer to the economical, environmental,
political, and social problems linked to fossil fuel use. Alternative energy sources are broadly
defined as energy sources that do not cause or limit net emissions of carbon dioxide and thus

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 Human Power System

largely avoid the environmental impacts associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. New and
renewable energy sources include solar energy, wind power, bio-energy, hydropower,
geothermal energy, wave and tidal power, hydrogen and fuel cells, carbon capture and storage,
and waste-to-energy. Human kinetic energy can be transferred in a number of ways. Human
energy is most commonly used to propel bicycles, but can also be used to generate electricity
and power .

Fig. No.: 2.1

2.2. Pedal Power Generation

Bicycle is the main mode of

transportation for many
Indian villagers. Most of these
villages are un-electrified. Power

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 Human Power System

generated by pedaling can be

converted from mechanical to
electrical energy by using either
dynamo or alternator. Small
powered lighting devices can be
charged using dynamo and can
be used in the night by students for
study purposes. This principle
can be extended to power mobiles,
iPods, laptops etc. Power can
be also generated from the
rotation of the wheels of
alternator
vehicles like bikes and cars,
where there is a possibility of
generating more power. The
generated power can be either
used
in the same vehicle or can be
stored in a battery for powering

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 Human Power System

some other devices. Riding

bicycle helps in maintaining a
good
physic and along with it power
can be also generated.This paper
presents methods in generating
electricity by pedaling a bicycle. It
also explains in detail the method
using bottle dynamo to generate
power. A detailed analysis of using
pedal power is also presented
Bicycle is the main mode of
transportation for many
Indian villagers. Most of these
villages are un-electrified. Power
generated by pedaling can be
converted from mechanical to
electrical energy by using either
dynamo or alternator. Small
powered lighting devices can be
charged using dynamo and can
Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)
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 Human Power System

be used in the night by students for

study purposes. This principle
can be extended to power mobiles,
iPods, laptops etc. Power can
be also generated from the
rotation of the wheels of
alternator
vehicles like bikes and cars,
where there is a possibility of
generating more power. The
generated power can be either
used
in the same vehicle or can be
stored in a battery for powering
some other devices. Riding
bicycle helps in maintaining a
good
physic and along with it power
can be also generated.This paper
presents methods in generating
electricity by pedaling a bicycle. It
Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)
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 Human Power System

also explains in detail the method

using bottle dynamo to generate
power. A detailed analysis of using
pedal power is also presented
Bicycle is the main mode of
transportation for many
Indian villagers. Most of these
villages are un-electrified. Power
generated by pedaling can be
converted from mechanical to
electrical energy by using either
dynamo or alternator. Small
powered lighting devices can be
charged using dynamo and can
be used in the night by students for
study purposes. This principle
can be extended to power mobiles,
iPods, laptops etc. Power can
be also generated from the
rotation of the wheels of
alternator
Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)
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 Human Power System

vehicles like bikes and cars,

where there is a possibility of
generating more power. The
generated power can be either
used
in the same vehicle or can be
stored in a battery for powering
some other devices. Riding
bicycle helps in maintaining a
good
physic and along with it power can
be also generated.This paper
presents methods in generating
electricity by pedaling a bicycle. It
also explains in detail the method
using bottle dynamo to generate
power. A detailed analysis of using
pedal power is also presented.
World is a storehouse of
energy. We all know that
energy
Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)
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 Human Power System

canneither be created nor

destroyed but can be
transformed
from one form to another. But
we are wasting resources that
can produce energy as if they
are limitless. If we can renew
and reuse the energy we
waste, it would help in some
way to
the problem of scarcity of
energy, which is the major
threat of
present world. Humans are
able to generate
approximately
150W of power while riding
bicycle. However, this power

Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)

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 Human Power System

goes waste without any use.

If we can make use of this
energy,we would be able to
power many electronic devices.
A
dynamo or an alternator can be
used for harvesting the energy
generated by a cycle rider while
riding. We can charge mobile
phones or a small lighting device
with this power. Not only in
bicycles but also in alternator
bikes, cars, and exercise bikes
we can use this principle.
People use bicycles as the main
medium of transportation in
villages. In addition, in cities,
where most people use
exercise
Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)
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 Human Power System

bikes, the energy can be

productively used to power
electronic
gadgets, which require less
power.In India, many of the
villages are still without
electricity and most of them
use
bicycle as their medium of
transportation. In such places,
our
system will be of great help.
Charging of the battery can be
done by a layman by just
connecting the circuit to the
output of
the dynamo which is
connected to the bicycle. This
would
Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)
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 Human Power System

charge the NiMH batteries.

World is a storehouse of
energy. We all know that
energy
canneither be created nor
destroyed but can be
transformed
from one form to another. But
we are wasting resources that
can produce energy as if they
are limitless. If we can renew
and reuse the energy we
waste, it would help in some
way to
the problem of scarcity of
energy, which is the major
threat of

Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)

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 Human Power System

present world. Humans are

able to generate
approximately
150W of power while riding
bicycle. However, this power
goes waste without any use.
If we can make use of this
energy,we would be able to
power many electronic devices.
A
dynamo or an alternator can be
used for harvesting the energy
generated by a cycle rider while
riding. We can charge mobile
phones or a small lighting device
with this power. Not only in
bicycles but also in alternator
bikes, cars, and exercise bikes
we can use this principle.
Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)
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 Human Power System

People use bicycles as the main

medium of transportation in
villages. In addition, in cities,
where most people use
exercise
bikes, the energy can be
productively used to power
electronic
gadgets, which require less
power.In India, many of the
villages are still without
electricity and most of them
use
bicycle as their medium of
transportation. In such places,
our
system will be of great help.
Charging of the battery can be

Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)

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 Human Power System

done by a layman by just

connecting the circuit to the
output of
the dynamo which is
connected to the bicycle. This
would
charge the NiMH batteries.
World is a storehouse of
energy. We all know that
energy
canneither be created nor
destroyed but can be
transformed
from one form to another. But
we are wasting resources that
can produce energy as if they
are limitless. If we can renew

Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)

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 Human Power System

and reuse the energy we

waste, it would help in some
way to
the problem of scarcity of
energy, which is the major
threat of
present world. Humans are
able to generate
approximately
150W of power while riding
bicycle. However, this power
goes waste without any use.
If we can make use of this
energy,we would be able to
power many electronic devices.
A
dynamo or an alternator can be
used for harvesting the energy

Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)

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 Human Power System

generated by a cycle rider while

riding. We can charge mobile
phones or a small lighting device
with this power. Not only in
bicycles but also in alternator
bikes, cars, and exercise bikes
we can use this principle.
People use bicycles as the main
medium of transportation in
villages. In addition, in cities,
where most people use
exercise
bikes, the energy can be
productively used to power
electronic
gadgets, which require less
power.In India, many of the

Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)

Page 17
 Human Power System

villages are still without

electricity and most of them
use
bicycle as their medium of
transportation. In such places,
our
system will be of great help.
Charging of the battery can be
done by a layman by just
connecting the circuit to the
output of
the dynamo which is
connected to the bicycle. This
would
charge the NiMH batteries.
Bicycle is the main mode of transportation for many Indian villagers. Most of these villages are
un-electrified. Power generated by pedaling can be converted from mechanical to electrical
energy by using either dynamo or alternator. Small powered lighting devices can be charged
using dynamo and can be used in the night by students for study purposes. This principle can be
extended to power mobiles, iPods, laptops etc. Power can be also generated from the rotation of
the wheels of alternator vehicles like bikes and cars, where there is a possibility of generating
more power. The generated power can be either used in the same vehicle or can be stored in a

Late G. N. Sapkal COE (BE Mechanical)

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 Human Power System

battery for powering some other devices. Riding bicycle helps in maintaining a good physic and
along with it power can be also generated.This paper presents methods in generating electricity
by pedaling a bicycle. It also explains in detail the method using bottle dynamo to generate
power. A detailed analysis of using pedal power is also presented.

Fig. No.: 2.2

2.3. Power Generation by Gym pull up

Pull up pull down power is the transfer of energy from a human source through the use of rack an
pinion system. This technology is most commonly used for gym centre or house .less commonly
gym power is used to power agricultural and hand tools and even to generated electricity. Some
application include battery charge home appliance. The articles on this page are about the many
wonderful application for power generation by gym pulley technology. Whenever the person is
allowed to pass over the gym pull up pull down. As the spring are attached to gym equipments,
they get compressed and the rack, which is attached to, the bottom of the rod moves down
reciprocating motion of rack in to rotary with certain RPM these shafts are connected through a
chain drive to the dynamos, which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Now
made to rotate a wheel in one direction by supplying power to shaft, while other made to rotate
freely on the shaft, as the free wheel is inserted in the gears.

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 Human Power System

Fig. No.:2.3

2.4. Swing Motion Power Generation

Energy is the ability to do work. It is a driving force of modern societies and generation and
utilization of energy are essential for the socio economic development. Per capita consumption
of energy levels are often considered a good measure of economic development. In recent years,
energy scarcity has become a serious problem due to depletion of non-renewable energy sources,
increasing population, globalization of energy intensive economic development, environmental
pollution, and global warming. In this paper, it is proposed to harness the human muscle power
of children playing in public spaces such as school playgrounds, on equipment such as teeter
totters, swings, and merry-go-rounds. Such an energy conversion is playful and hence does not
require deliberate effort. For human power conversion systems to be useful in the context of
developing countries, several constraints need to be considered like low cost, low-resource and
limited-skills requirements, low-maintenance, safety and comfort to humans, and environment-
friendliness. Human power conversion is easily achieved from children’s play under conditions
where the children are static relative to the moving playground mechanism, such as seesaw,
swing, and merry-go-round. Where the children are in a dynamic state relative to a static
mechanism (e.g., swing) it will be difficult to employ cost-effective human power conversion
techniques due to considerations of safety and simplicity. A variety of mechanisms are used for
conversion of human power to usable electrical or mechanical energy like springs, hydraulic

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 Human Power System

components, electric generators, piezoelectric, compressed air systems, flywheels, and so on. The
factors affecting the choice of the most suitable conversion mechanism are similar to those for
the general energy conversion problem. Human power was perhaps the earliest source of energy
known to mankind. Its first uses were in tool-making, rowing boat, and so on. Mechanized uses
of human power were achieved in the form of hand cranking by the Romans. However, pedaling
which is a simpler and less tiresome means of human power conversion did not come about until
the 19th century with the invention of the bicycle. Human power was widely used in the
developed countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for purposes such as irrigation,
operating machinery, and as a source of electricity for watching/listening to television and radio.
In many developing countries, human power is still widely used in agriculture, industry, and
services. It is clear that the systems proposed in literature are unsuited to power basic domestic
appliances such as fluorescent lights, desk fans, television sets, or communications equipment
(e.g., fax machines). These are among the basic needs of a majority of the population in
developing countries. The low-cost requirement also imposes a trade-off between cost and
efficiency of the energy conversion system. Improving the efficiency of the conversion system is
often essential in the case of individual human power conversion – generally would result in
increased cost of the overall system. In the case of several children playing on playground
equipment, power is produced as a by-product. Therefore, a low-cost system can be designed and
implemented without seriously affecting efficiency, since a large number of children are involved
in the play.

Fig. No.: 2.4

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 Human Power System

3. LITERATURE SURVEY
The study by Rajat et al [1] gives a platform of developing a sustainable, low maintenance
system to generate electrical energy. There is a lot of availability of mechanical energy in the
environment. This mechanical energy can be converted into other form of energy like electrical
energy. Low rpm generator produce power at low revolution per minute. Low rpm generators
once employed provides years of usage. These generators not only provide higher efficiency but
also have low cost. Low rpm generator are used because it gives a highly reliable power output
as they work at less speed which leads to less wear and tear of the various part of generators.

The study Gokul and Cyril John Tellis [4], as every single details about the design of the swing is
listed in this journal with all its 2-D, 3-D model and calculations. Calculations are important but
for only fabrication it’s not much important to go deep in the design of the swing. The paper
which is proposed by Pandian [5], is all about generation of power in small scale using man
power in a playful manner and utilizes that power in our daily life. It describes about the
requirement and consumption of power in our daily routine and power is generated using paly
ground equipment’s like swing, see-saw, and merry go-round etc

Starner [6], study analyses voluntary damping of the oscillating pendulum-lever system, by
reverse action of the user system on the lever. User system overtakes a part of the total internal
mechanical oscillation energy of the lever-pendulum system. The lever bears orbital damping.
Orbital damping of the lever causes radial damping of the pendulum. The work of the outer force
periodically compensates the loss of the part of the total internal mechanical oscillating energy of
the lever-pendulum system due to the work of the outer force, which affects the pendulum
directly. Radial damping of the lever is excluded, since the bearing of the lever axis is fixed.
Pendulum overtakes the energy from the environment EO under stable operation conditions of
the machine. User system overtakes the resulting energy of the machine ER by means of the
lever which oscillates forcedly Work of the outer force on activating the machine, to achieve
stable operating regime, can be neglected after a certain period of time since this initial energy is
input only once. Only the outer supplied energy EO, which is needed in order to maintain already
achieved operating regime of the machine, is relevant for the further analysis. The machine thus
continuously gives over the resulting energy ER to the user system. All the energy values in the

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 Human Power System

further analysis are related to the time of one oscillation of the pendulum. Further analysis
operates with absolute values of the work of the forces and momentum of the forces. Free energy
of the machine is the difference between the resulting energy ER and input energy EO Input of
the energy EO from the environment results in transfer of the energy ER to the user system
which is a part of the machine having the role of energy consumer.

4. ADVANTAGES HUMAN POWER SYSTEM

 Low cost and easily availability of electric energy.

 Human power is a cleaner energy source.

 As no combustion of fuel take place so on no air pollution.

 Human powered machine can be manufactured locally.

 Low initial an maintenance cost.

 Self dependent source of energy.

 Best alternative source of energy.

5. DISADVANTAGES HUMAN POWER SYSTEM

The energy cost associated with the production and delivery of that food and water must be
taken in to account when you fig. out energy produced.

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 Human Power System

6. CONCLUSION
1- The present device proved to work efficiently as a green source of power generation.

2- The device is characterized by its simple design and ease of construction.

3- Generally, the device covers a wide range of applications depending on the output power. A
single device or few devices may produce enough power for lights and/or electronic appliances
(computers, mobiles, etc.). A big number of devices can produce enough power to supply the
public electricity grid. 4- The device is practically useful although it is relatively heavy as it rests
on the floor.

5- The cost of the device can be lowered by mass production of the device.

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REFERENCES
T. Starner, "Human-powered Wearable Computing", IBM systems Journal, Vol. 35.3.4, pp. 618-
629, 1996.

[2] J. Kymissis, C. Kendall, J. Paradiso, and N. Gershenfeld, "Parasitic Power Harvesting in

Shoes", Digest of Papers, Second International Symposium on Wearable Computers, IEEE, pp.
132-139, 1998.

[3] T. Starner, and J. A. Paradiso, "Human Generated Power for Mobile Electronics", Low-Power
Electronics Design, pp. 1-35, 2004.

[4] J. A. Paradiso, "Systems for Human-powered Mobile Computing", Proceedings of the 43rd
Annual Design Automation Conference (ACM), 2006.

[5] S. S. Taliyan, B. B. Biswas, R. K. Patil, G. P. Srivastava, and T. K. Basu, "Electricity From

Footsteps", BARC NEWSLETTER, Issue No. 313, Mar.-Apr. 2010.

[6]http://urbantimes.co/2012/10/footsteps-power-city-sustainably-pavegen-paving-tilessmart/
[July 2014]

[7] J. V. Tom, B. Boban, and M. T. Sijo, "Electricity Generation from Footsteps; A Regenerative
Energy Resource", International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Vol. 3, Issue 3,
March 2013. 13 [8] S. D. Mendhule, and V. K. Kankal, "Harvesting Electrical Energy from
Footsteps", International Journal of Science and Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 49-52, 2013.

[9] G. Zhu, Z. H. Lin, Q. Jing, P. Bai, C. Pan, Y. Yang, and Z. L. Wang, "Toward Largescale Energy
Harvesting by a Nanoparticle-enhanced Triboelectric Nanogenerator", Nano letters, Vol. 13(2),
pp. 847-853, 2013.

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