Rio de Janeiro Welcomes People-Powered football Pitch! 

Shell worked with Pavegen to implement its game-changing technology in Brazil at scale, changing perceptions on energy usage and encouraging the next generation of innovators.
Pavegen has installed 200 tiles into a local football pitch redeveloped by Shell in Morro da Mineira, a favela which has not benefitted from tourism and private enterprise development in Rio de Janeiro.
The pitch was officially opened on the 10th September. Shell implemented this first-of-a-kind energy solution as a source of inspiration to children around the world, as well as providing a tangible off-grid power supply that benefits a whole community.
(video shot by Pavegen. Additional sources: Daily Mail)
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Rio de Janeiro Welcomes People-Powered football Pitch!
Shell worked with Pavegen to implement its game changing technology in Brazil at scale, changing perceptions on energy usage and encouraging the next generation of innovators
Pavegen has installed 200 tiles into a local football pitch redeveloped by Shell in Morro da Mineira, a favela which has not benefitted from tourism and private enterprise development in Rio de Janeiro. The pitch was officially opened on the 10th September. Shell implemented this first of a kind energy solution as a source of inspiration to children around the world as well as a tangible off grid power supply that benefits a whole community.
The kinetic-harvesting Pavegen tiles convert the energy from footsteps into electricity. It works day and night alongside solar panels to light the pitch and surrounding area for 10 hours a night on a fully-charged battery. To date this pitch is the largest installation globally of Pavegen technology, providing a local community with sustainable energy.
This technology was first presented to Shell by Laurence Kemball-Cook, Pavegen’s founder and CEO, in 2010 during his application to the Shell LiveWIRE competition in the UK. Programmes like Shell LiveWIRE highlight the commitment from Shell of the importance of (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) STEM careers for aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs. Their continuous support has allowed Laurence, to further engage with disruptive clean technology across a range of applications, from urban train stations to shopping centres globally from Australia to Korea to Chile.
“Entrepreneurs should know no rules and overcome all barriers,” Laurence said. “The project emphasises the importance of STEM subjects within sport, encouraging young innovators of the future to make a real difference in their community.”
Laurence commented on his time in Morro de Mineria, “In the two weeks on site in the community, children helped complete the installation. It was a real life science experiment that didn’t stop when school ended for the day!”
Malena Cutuli, Global Head of Brand Communications at Shell “We were really impressed when Laurence presented his technology to us at Shell LiveWIRE. His quest for energy solutions that can improve the planet has great potential to improve the world we live in. Its great to see new solutions that help the world come to life with such huge potential impact in the future.”
Laurence said, “Following the unity and spirit of the World Cup, this project is an incentive to encourage entrepreneurial growth and disruptive behaviour, allowing the community to hone their football skills on the pitch and be part of the energy generating process”
Joao Luiz Santos, a resident within Morro De Mineira, was excited about the project. “This is a huge change for the community, allowing children to socialise in a safer and more enjoyable atmosphere, and knowing that their movements will generate energy for the community.”
Laurence said: “Pavegen is at a critical point in our development, our focus is scale, and this pitch represents the largest use of our technology to date. We have taken this idea from a bedroom in London to a football pitch in Brazil with the support of Shell. We look forward to continuing to work together with Shell around the world.”