Use of Alternative Energy Generation in Playgrounds as a Means of Knowledge Spreading

• 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.10.068

Abstract
The present paper has the purpose of presenting a recreation and leisure environment designed for activities and expositions related to alternative energy generation concepts, mainly the ones of renewable nature, such as solar energy, contributing to its knowledge spreading. The developed environment is called Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Park, and will be built in the city of Tucuruí, state of Pará, Brazil.The park will be part of a Technology Facility near the Hydroelectric Power Plant of Tucuruí, which is owned and operated by ELETROBRAS ELETRONORTE, and will be open to visitors of all ages, mainly to schools.
The article describes the projects to be installed in the playground, which are: a small auto-race track for model cars with batteries recharged by photovoltaic solar energy, playground toys designed to produce energy when in use, an artificial lake decorated with toys driven by solar energy.
The small speedway is intended for RC car races, with their batteries being charged by photovoltaic modules, through a charge controller and a lead-acid battery bank.
The playground toys, such as slide, swing, teeter-totter and carousel are driven while the children enjoy themselves and the energy generated by their movement is displayed in a power indicator. These toys have electromechanical energy conversion systems made of speed multipliers, DC generators and electronic systems for power conditioning, using lead-acid batteries, converters and DC/AC inverters. The produced energy can be used to recharge the electronic portable devices of the visitors (such as cell phones, notebooks, tablets, and so on.)
The artificial lake has toys driven by photovoltaic energy, and has also a photovoltaic pumping system, to return the water to an elevated reservoir and allow its recirculation through gravitational means to the small lake.
As a result, it is expected that the activities will draw public attention to alternative means of producing energy, mainly using solar photovoltaic, and also to the need of a more rational energy use. It is also expected that the children be encouraged to understand the energy conversion processes, and be aware of the necessity of environment preservation.