We wanted to create a tool that would give students a hands on learning experience with alternative energy. After some trial and error, we came up with the Mobile Energy Centre.

The Mobile Energy Centre is a 4m long trailer that contains a number of different pieces of interactive alternative energy equipment. On board we have:

• 500 Watt wind turbine – this can be quickly erected via the winch and is adjustable in height from 5m to 10m. Blades can be quickly switched out allowing students to test different blade designs and configurations

• 175 Watt solar panel – this is mounted on a dual axis motorized mount allowing students to orient the panel as necessary and even track the path of the sun

• Solar thermal panel – this air heating solar panel is also mounted on a dual axis motorized mount, and allows students to compare effiiencies between solar heat and solar electricity production

• 100 Watt hydrogen fuel cell – a small fuel cell with associated hydrogen production is available to investigate energy storage techniques

• Pumped hydro – an adjustable hydro simulation is available where both the height of the dam and the flow leaving the dam can be adjusted. Water can be pumped back into the upper reservoir as a means of temporarily storing energy.

• Bicycle generator – in order to get a better understanding of just how much energy we use, we have built in bicycle with onboard power meter to see just how much power students are able to generate

• Weather station – measuring wind speed, air density, solar radiation and temperature

All of the equipment is accessible via six touchscreen panels located around the trailer, with real time data being streamed from sensors located on all equipment.

More information will be coming soon, but if you’d like us to visit your school, please e-mail us at contact@thegaiaproject.ca.