Urban Trees

Keep fit while you take care of the 'Urban Tree'!

Artificial Tree Prototype

Abstract

Keep fit while you take care of the 'Urban Tree'

This device explores the social dimension of sustainability: It is designed to enrol people in sustainable matters and practices. The Urban Tree visualizes the functions that a common tree performs in the everyday life of a city. The top part configures a marquee featuring solar photovoltaic panels and vegetation panels for plants. The supports are especially designed as urban furniture, exhibiting benches and cycling points.

The Urban Trees are meeting points and exercise areas. When you cycle at the tree, you generate the energy that waters the plants and supplies electricity for the illumination. But, at the same time, while cycling at the tree you look after yourself. The tree needs your care to survive.

Energy Transformation

The Urban Tree produces energy, based in a combined system:

- Bicycles, that produce electricity while you pedal. Power: 50Wp / per bike

- PV Infrastructure, that transforms solar radiation into electricity. 36 photovoltaic basic units. Power: 5Wp / per unit.

Plant Care

When you cycle at the tree, you generate the energy that waters the plants and supplies electricity for the illumination. The tree needs your care to survive. During the warm seasons, it vaporizes water to cool yourself down.

Charge Points

You may charge your cell phone, your laptop, etc... in any of the 4 sockets.

Power monitoring

The Urban Tree provides access to information on power generation:

1. Charging Status Gauge:

When you start pedaling, a green light turns on. It indicates that your exercise is being transformed into electricity.

2. Battery Status Gauge:

A 3 led display installed on the back of the solar panels shows the charge status of the Urban Tree. The night-time glare from these light-emitting displays shows the amount of power the tree produced during the day. When it runs downs, the lights progressively fade away:

- All the lights are on. The Urban Tree is fully charged.

- One light of each solar PV panel switches off. The Urban Tree is only half charged.

- One single light of each solar PV panel remains on. The Urban Tree is running out of energy.

3. Pedal Gauge:

When the tree is low on battery, lights under each saddle flicker indicating that the Urban Tree needs care: “Please, give me a ride!”