CLEAN ENERGY
E-BIKE SYSTEM
This innovative electric bike system harnesses solar and wind energy to power docking stations where RISD students can conveniently charge their bikes for trips up Providence Hill. This solution not only enhances transportation for students but also contributes additional clean electricity to the school's energy grid.
The Problem.
In my Industrial Design winter studio, I was tasked with identifying a problem affecting RISD students and using sustainable design methods to address it. We would end up having to pitch this idea with a model to the rest of the department. The Rhode Island School of Design is well-known for its steep hill that spans the entire campus. For my project, I chose to tackle this challenge using an eco-design approach.
Jenckes Street, Providence RI.
Research.
I began my research by reaching out to two groups of students: sophomores and freshmen, as they were the ones most likely to live on campus and in the surrounding area. I asked each student to map out their daily walk up the hill and highlight the most challenging parts of the journey.
By analyzing their feedback, I was able to identify a solution that would address the entire scope of their commute.
The most challenging part of their commute appeared to be the stretch between their residence and the dining hall. I also observed that this difficulty coincided with the start of the elevation in that area.
Idea.
My initial idea consisted of a fully independent natural energy harnessing system. This system would include hydro, wind, and solar power to charge the bikes. Since the RISD residence all is next to providence river, it could hardness the current and spin a hydroelectric turbine. In addition to that, the system would have silent windmills placed throughout the area to harness both natural wind and the wind from cars passing by.
Pitch.
After refining my idea based on feedback from fellow students, I finalized my pitch, which centered on harnessing wind and solar power for energy generation. I determined that hydroelectric generation would be insufficient to power the energy banks, and installing a generator in the Providence River would be prohibitively expensive.
To align with the city’s aesthetic, silent, city-friendly wind turbines would be strategically placed along the park areas bordering the Providence River. Additionally, the design includes two solar-powered docking stations for bikes—one at the top of the hill near the dining hall and the other at the bottom near the residences. This setup ensures convenient access for students, eliminating the need to leave bikes unattended far from their destinations.
This transportation solution not only makes traveling uphill more accessible for students but also contributes to the city's energy supply by generating electricity rather than drawing from the grid.
