Meet ReRev, the senior gift that turns sweat into electricity
By: Wayne House
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News
On ReRev's website, the company boasts that it "converts human energy into a useable form of renewable energy."
To do this the ReRev system takes kinetic energy released during human exercise and puts it through an energy converter, altering it into direct current. From there the energy is converted a second time into alternate current, the form of electricity used for normal operations. Finally, the new electricity is connected to a facility's electricity grid where it can be distributed throughout the facility.
The system produces a noticeable amount of electricity. A normal 30-minute workout can produce 50 watts of electricity - enough to power a laptop for one hour.
The system will be installed only on the Precor elliptical machines, however. These provide resistance as an exerciser stands pumping his legs up and down while pushing and pulling with his arms. Even though kinetic energy is generated on other machines, the elliptical machines are the most efficient.
"You generate more watts on weight bearing activities than seated activities," said Murr. "It's easier to do 200 watts on an elliptical than on a rower."
Furman currently has 15 Precor elliptical machines, but Murr has considered purchasing more because of the popularity of the machines. The machines cost about $5000 each, and Murr believes that he would have to get rid of two other cardio machines to make room for the extra ellipticals without crowding the gym.
Murr estimated the cost of adding the ReRev system to the 15 elliptical machines in the PAC to be around $20-25,000. This includes the equipment, new machines, and the associated costs of configuring the building's electrical wiring.
The senior class gift is supported by the donations of the seniors and their parents. Most donations are not made out of pocke, but are taken from a $400 housing deposit Furman students pay to the school at the beginning of their freshman year.
Students who donate a portion of their housing deposit will recieve a personalized brick on the Bell Tower walkway.
To do this the ReRev system takes kinetic energy released during human exercise and puts it through an energy converter, altering it into direct current. From there the energy is converted a second time into alternate current, the form of electricity used for normal operations. Finally, the new electricity is connected to a facility's electricity grid where it can be distributed throughout the facility.
The system produces a noticeable amount of electricity. A normal 30-minute workout can produce 50 watts of electricity - enough to power a laptop for one hour.
The system will be installed only on the Precor elliptical machines, however. These provide resistance as an exerciser stands pumping his legs up and down while pushing and pulling with his arms. Even though kinetic energy is generated on other machines, the elliptical machines are the most efficient.
"You generate more watts on weight bearing activities than seated activities," said Murr. "It's easier to do 200 watts on an elliptical than on a rower."
Furman currently has 15 Precor elliptical machines, but Murr has considered purchasing more because of the popularity of the machines. The machines cost about $5000 each, and Murr believes that he would have to get rid of two other cardio machines to make room for the extra ellipticals without crowding the gym.
Murr estimated the cost of adding the ReRev system to the 15 elliptical machines in the PAC to be around $20-25,000. This includes the equipment, new machines, and the associated costs of configuring the building's electrical wiring.
The senior class gift is supported by the donations of the seniors and their parents. Most donations are not made out of pocke, but are taken from a $400 housing deposit Furman students pay to the school at the beginning of their freshman year.
Students who donate a portion of their housing deposit will recieve a personalized brick on the Bell Tower walkway.