STORY PREVIEW

2024

Empowering with Energy

Gems Modern Academy

Dubai

MENTOR

Gopikha Sivakumar

Step 1 FEEL

List the challenges or problems in your surroundings (school,neighbourhood etc.) that bothered you.

Heavy reliance on non-renewable energy sources in cities with high energy demands. Limited energy access in rural areas, leading to energy inequality. Overheating of existing renewable energy prototypes and lack of cost-effective, durable designs.

State the problem chosen to work and why.

The problem chosen was the lack of an efficient, renewable, and sustainable energy source that can be implemented in both high-footfall urban areas and energy-scarce rural areas. This problem was chosen because it directly addresses energy inequality, promotes sustainability, and leverages untapped resources like human movement to produce energy.

Who were the people affected by the problem? What were their primary concerns?

Urban populations: Concerned about high carbon emissions, the environmental impact of fossil fuels, and finding alternative energy solutions. Rural communities: Struggled with limited or no access to electricity, impacting their daily lives and economic growth. Policy-makers and city planners: Interested in scalable, innovative solutions to meet sustainable energy goals.

Step 2 Imagine

List ALL the different solutions you came up with.

We came up with a device where we could cycle to create energy, solar panels on taxis where the battery's energy collected would be deposited and a piezoelectricity panel where we could walk and generate electricity

Which solution from those listed above did you choose to implement and why?

We chose to implement piezoelectric panels made of sustainable materials, equipped with cooling fans, and designed for easy replacement. This solution was chosen because it addressed key concerns of durability, eco-friendliness, and ease of maintenance while being adaptable for urban and rural applications.

Step 3DO

Describe very briefly the process of implementing your solution(s).

Researched and selected sustainable materials for piezoelectric crystals. Designed and prototyped panels with integrated cooling fans and replaceable components. Tested the prototype in controlled environments to measure energy output and durability. Gathered feedback from communities and iterated on the design.

What was the result or impact of your project?

The prototype successfully generated a measurable amount of renewable energy. It demonstrated potential for use in urban areas with high footfall and was introduced as a sustainable energy option for rural areas.

How many people were impacted by your solution(s)?

100

What did the impacted people have to say about your project? Provide 2 quotes or testimonials:

"If this could be effectively implemented, this would change the energy systems in our world" "Wow! Scaling this would remove half of our need for fossil fuels, way to go!"

What challenges did you encounter while implementing your project, and how did you overcome them?

Fragility of prototypes: Reinforced the design by testing different sustainable materials and improving structural support. Overheating issues: The addition of small fans effectively addressed this problem. Scaling the idea: Created modular, easy-to-replace designs to make the solution adaptable and scalable.

How long did it take to implement your solution?

MORE THAN 30 DAYS

Which global goals does your story align with?

Affordable and Clean energy

Please explain briefly why do you think so?

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: Promotes renewable energy sources for both urban and rural areas. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Offers a solution for clean energy in cities with high population density. Goal 13: Climate Action: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels, helping combat climate change. Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Encourages sustainable industrial innovation.

Step 4 SHARE

How did you share your project with your school and community? Who did you share your project with? What was their response?

Shared through an innovation and entrepreneurship competition at school, where it won the prize for the most innovative solution. The project was also shared with local community members, company owners, Ministry of Education authorities, investors and educators, who were impressed by its scalability and eco-friendliness.

Approximately how many people did you share your story of change with?

More than 100

Briefly share your plan to sustain the impact of your project?

Partner with local governments and organizations to pilot the solution in high-footfall urban areas and underserved rural regions. Continue improving the prototype based on feedback and testing. Educate communities about renewable energy and involve them in implementation to create a sense of ownership. Seek funding and sponsorships to scale production and distribution of the panels.

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