This is the phase 1 report for Team Delorean's business idea.

1. ENERGO
Let’s Energize!
PHASE1: DISCOVERY
Team DeLorean
Aravinthan Ehamparam
Ayana Robertson
Gagan Bawa
Hussein Jamal
Michelle Cain
Siddharth Vishwanathan

2. Contents
Objective ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Consumer Insight .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Energy and Humans…Yesterday ................................................................................................................ 4
Energy and Humans…Today ...................................................................................................................... 5
Electricity is Energy.................................................................................................................................... 5
Energy Conservation ................................................................................................................................. 5
Renewable Energy ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Trends ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
Renewable Energy – The Ultimate Source ................................................................................................ 8
Technology Possibility ................................................................................................................................... 9
Energy Capture .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Energy Storage ........................................................................................................................................10
Energy Transmission................................................................................................................................10
Combination with other Technologies ....................................................................................................10
Opportunity Maximization ..........................................................................................................................11
Anyone and Everyone can be Economically Viable .................................................................................11
Portable Energy .......................................................................................................................................12
Energy Pooling .........................................................................................................................................12
Energy Farms ...........................................................................................................................................12
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3. Objective
In the future there is the potential for a device that will be able to capture and store the energy
created by the everyday movements of the body. On a daily basis each individual burns approximately
1200 calories [reference?] (Or 5028 Joules) and most of this energy is expended on movement whether
this entails walking, climbing stairs or playing sports. The existence of nanotechnology has made it
possible to conceptualize the idea of a device which will now convert energy that humans expend
through movement into energy and store it in a device that could be used to power anything from small
appliances such as computers, cell phones, and lamps to medical devices. Individuals with this device
will also be able to connect to a larger power grid and transfer energy to a shared system in order to
power larger scale items such as office buildings and homes. The ability to absorb kinetic energy and
convert it to electrical energy has endless possibilities and uses. This revolutionary system is called
ENERGO.
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4. Consumer Insight
Energy Impact Intensification
Conscious
Healing Comfort
Travelling Thinking Creatively Healthier Living
Heating/Cooling
homes Helping Others Living Longer
Sacrificing
Hopeful Going
Harnessing Surviving Cooking
Green Recycling
Thriving Energy Environmental
Awareness Self Sufficiency
Choices
Enjoying Recreation Energy Smiling
Conservation Greed
Increased Drilling Saving Spending
Physical Frugality
BEHAVIOURS Wastage Interdependency
Activity Extravagance
TOOLS Deforestation
Famine ENERGO Corporations
Convenience Renewable Heat Energy Harnessers
Money
Energy End of Oil WWF Personal Energy
Climate People
Electric cars/ Rainforests Converters
Change Oil Reserves Al Gore
Trains
Doctors Electricity Power Cheap Electricity
Outages Coral Reef
Energy Greenpeace
Retail Outlets Destruction
Ingenuity Shortage Scientists
Universal Air
Conditioning/ Nanotechnology
Necessity Motion
Heating Design Engineering
Distribution
Increased Disposable Marketing Finance
Income
Energy and Humans…Yesterday
Since the advent of mankind, humans have relied on Earth’s natural sources of energy. Humans
are resourceful by nature and have found ways to harness natural sources of energy to power a variety
of activities ranging from drying clothes in the sun to transporting items downstream along a river.
Whether humans have realized it or not, a significant source of energy which is easily accessible to them
was in fact the kinetic energy in their own movements and those of the animals around them. From
ploughing the fields and transporting the crops to producing metal tools, humans have always utilized
the power of their bodies. Although the energy from their bodies is ultimately derived from food, the
human energy source is ubiquitous and conveniently available. Its availability is simply a by-product of
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5. being alive which makes it a renewable form of energy. However, the industrial revolution and the
technological advances that came with it pushed us to forget about this abundant and widely available
energy source.
Energy and Humans…Today
The world changed with the discovery of electricity. The development of the steam engine
marked the start of the industrial revolution signalled the point which humans went from being energy-
sufficient to energy-hungry. Our seemingly never-ending thirst for energy drove us to seek new and
more innovative sources of energy. Once it became evident that wood and coal could not meet their
power needs, fossil fuels and nuclear energy became the standard even though using these energy
sources was destructive to the environment around us. Rain forests have been destroyed, the ozone
layer are been almost irreparably damaged and wars have been instigated in our continuous search for
new energy resources. In recent years in the developed world, the general trend has been progressing
to noticeable decreases in physical activity. Consequently, humans have steadily decreased the
utilization of a readily source of energy in our bodies and becoming increasingly dependent on
alternative sources of energy.
Electricity is Energy
The discovery of electricity was the most important discovery in the last millennia. Both the
electric motor and the electric bulb were derived from the discovery of electricity. Electricity allowed
humans to break the cycle of day and night and effectively work when they wanted to. The electric
motor made activities that were previously difficult easy and activities that were too slow much faster.
Access to electricity is essential. Imagine a day without electricity. Imagine a day without the ability to
cook a meal on your stove or talk to your friends on your cell phone or watch your favourite movie on
your television set. The use of electricity is so heavily ingrained into human culture that if we suddenly
did not have it, it would be nothing short of a disastrous situation. The quest to find new sources of
energy like wind and solar energy is driven by our need to production vast amounts of electricity to
power the millions of electric devices in the world today. The kinetic energy found in human movement
has been virtually ignored. Where does this leave us? It leaves us on the brink of destruction.
Energy Conservation
As Earth’s most intelligent creatures, humans have participating in a never-ending quest to
discover new and innovative techniques to improve the way they work and live. This search has been
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6. driven primarily by global warming. The world’s temperature has increased by 0.8 degrees Celsius over
the last century and this has adversely affected the northern hemisphere. According to UN reports, if
our planet’s temperature continued to increase at this rate, we could expect Alaska to be ice-free by
2040, if not sooner.1 The adverse effects of global warming are endangering many animal species
besides the humans. For example, the polar bears are now considered an endangered species because
the ice in their habitat in the northern hemisphere is continually melting. In addition, the coral reefs in
the oceans have been adversely affected by the temperature changes and have reported some of the
worst damage, with some animals species within the local ecosystem centred on the coral reefs
becoming extinct. Coral reefs are home to many species, including algae which are a major producer of
oxygen.2
Furthermore, corporations and countries are adamant against signing a treaty which emphasizes
and will enforce climate change because they fear the consequences of such a treaty on their respective
profits. However, excessive use and over-dependence on fossil fuels have depleted the earth’s supply
and consequently, a new solution will be required to overcome the depleted supply of natural energy
resources. Logically, the first logical step would be to conserve energy, but conservation alone will not
be sufficient to meet our energy demands. We need to look for new and innovative sources of
renewable energy.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy constitutes energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind,
rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are classified as renewable because they are naturally
replenished.3 Hydro-power is another source of renewable energy. While hydro-power has been
exploited extensively, other under-utilized sources such as wind and geothermal energy present a great
opportunity to drastically reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
The limitation of these renewable sources of energy is their unreliability in terms of availability.
For example, there is no guarantee that there will be wind flowing through giant wind farms because we
don’t control the weather, although we have spent millions if not billions of dollars to discover ways o
manipulating the weather. The unreliability of natural these natural and renewable sources of energy
can be mitigated by utilizing an optimal mix of different energy sources to complement one another.
1
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html
2
http://coris.noaa.gov/about/what_are/
3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy
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7. Recently, there has been a major shift in the focus of the energy generation industry with the trend
moving more towards energy creation from renewable sources as humans become more aware of the
damage that we have been inflicting to our planet which has activated the human being’s innate natural
tendency to engage in self-preservation.
Trends
An increasing number of companies are creating gadgets that will last longer while using less
power. Computer companies are working on longer-lasting batteries and improving their computers to
do more with less power. Builders are using better materials to insulate homes and buildings so that
less energy is required to heat them. Although conservation is an acceptable first step, there will still be
the need to make the transition away from fossil fuels to prevent continuous global warming.
In another attempt at conservation, in addition to finding new energy sources for combating
heating and power, companies are working to reduce the fuel consumption of transportation vehicles
with automobile producers leading the charge by developing and releasing hybrid cars. Although there is
a slight reduction in fossil fuel usage on a per vehicle basis, the overall amount of fossil fuel being
utilized in cars is still fairly substantial when you look at the problem on a global scale. There are
companies that are currently working on creating solar powered cars. However, there is no
substantiated evidence to support the viability of using solar energy to power cars. Other developers
have invented methods of using solar power to complement other energy sources, thereby creating
more fuel efficient vehicles.
There is also a large amount of research being done in the areas of global warming and
reducing the usage of fossil fuels to generate power. Terrapower is a concept that uses uranium instead
of coal to produce energy. Uranium produces 1 million times more energy than coal and produces zero
carbon emissions. 4 . The goal is to simplify the process and use a nuclear power plant that is its own
waste disposal solution.5 However, you are again using a limited resource whose costs are substantially
more than the current systems. In addition, countries and corporations are not yet willing to
significantly invest in a potential idea. While there are other companies looking at substitutes for fossil
fuels there are no substantial proven technologies expected on the market in the near future. .
4
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/bill_gates.html
5
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/bill_gates.html
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8. Renewable Energy – The Ultimate Source
As has been established so far, there has been a major shift towards renewable sources of
energy as we have become aware of the dangers of our dependence on non-renewable sources,
primarily fossil fuels. However, the most abundant power sources – our bodies – still remain
unexploited. In fact, one of the major the side-effects of their underuse, obesity, is the reason for the
existence of the health and fitness industry. While we spend hours as slaves to the treadmill, and
thereby create energy in abundance, we have failed to recognize this output as the ultimate renewable
energy, and failed to harness this energy and put it to use.
Our revolutionary product will change all this. In fact, it will allow each individual to tap into this
unlimited source of energy and be able to transfer her excess energy to another individual in the most
versatile form of energy known to humans – electricity.
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9. Technology Possibility
Social Disruption Amplification
Responsibility
Improved Health Smaller Carbon Footprint
Less War Equality Solving Wicked Problems
Conservation
Redistribution Advancement
Sacrificing
Durable Going
Harnessing Environment
Possibilities
Distribution Green Less lazy Restitution
Energy Environmental
of Wealth
Awareness Energy Survival
Joy Active Saving Balance of Power
Facilitation
Self Aware
Awareness Exercise Growth Revenue Stream
BEHAVIOURS Money Savings Interdependency
Extravagance Connected
TOOLS Friction
ENERGO Internet Energy Recycling
Transmission
Convenience
Renewable Nanotechnology
Personal Energy
Energy Solar Fabric
Body Heat People Converters
Electric cars/ Energy Low Power
Trains Capture Energy Electric Products
Electricity Low cost Storage Cheap Electricity
Energy Energy Grid
Conservation CapturePortable High Efficiency Grid
Technologies Revenue Energy Storage
Banks Personal Outlet Animal Energy Capture
Universal Air Legislation Energy Farms
Conditioning/ Engineering
Electric Water Distribution
Heating
Cleaning Energy Markets
Marketing
Energy Capture
Nanotechnology researchers are working on developing a cloth that will harness your physical
energy and convert it into electrical energy that can be used to power small devices.6 7 The physical
energy captured could be from any physical movement ranging from twists and turns to full-blown
workouts. The idea could be further expanded to include other uses of fabric such as curtains in which
case wind, sound and other forms of energy causing the fabric to move could be used to generate
electricity.
6
http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/power-shirt.ht
7
http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=36748
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10. Energy Storage
After energy capturing, energy storage will be next challenge that would need to be addressed. .
A group of Stanford researchers has created a product called Etextile by using their understanding of
battery power, and integrating the knowledge into textiles to create clothing that can store power. The
group has been working with regular textiles that they dip into a nano-particle infused ink which gives
the textile the ability to store power. .8
Energy Transmission
The electricity generated from the kinetic energy our bodies produce through motion would
only be useful if it could be transmitted. One interesting and convenient technology that would address
the issue of transmission to say, a human grid is wireless electricity transmission. Wireless electricity
transfer is the ability to transfer electricity without the use of any wires and is safe for all animals.
WiTricity Corporation is a company that is making this a reality as their technology uses power sources
and capture devices that have specially designed magnetic resonators that efficiently transfer power
over large distances via the magnetic near-field. These proprietary sources and device designs, and the
electronic systems that control them support efficient energy transfer over distances that are many
times the size of the sources and devices themselves.9
Combination with other Technologies
The ability to harness the kinetic energy of our bodies and convert that into electric energy can
be combined with other technologies to make it even more effective. For instance, this technology could
be combined with technology that converts solar energy into usable electric energy. A recent discovery10
involving nano-particles embedded in fabric which otherwise looks ordinary and can be tailored into
clothes, presents the possibility of generating electricity from solar power. Another company in Japan
designed a bra which generates power from solar energy11.
8
http://www.physorg.com/news184594396.html
9
http://www.witricity.com/
10
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/science-technology/Scientists-Develop-Fabric-That-Can-Power-Music-
Player-Monitor-Vital-Functions-87325192.html
11
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355737,00.html
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11. Opportunity Maximization
Market Maximization
Connecting
Surviving Family
Interdependency Meeting People Marriage
Saving Lives
Communicating Loving
Socializing
Joy Entertaining
Dining Prospering
Employment
Peace Designing Travelling
Exploring Inventing
Constructing Purchasing
Enjoying Lighting Longevity
Buildings
Cooking Cooling Trading/
Dating Bartering Healing
BEHAVIOURS Competing Heating Educating
Exercising
TOOLS Currency
Media ENERGO Nanotechnology
Creativity Medicine
Skype Money
CarsUniversities
Energy Grids Energy MSF
Art Portability
Converter Internet
Energy Storage
Globalization Eharmony Theatres
Hospitals
Planes
Professional Computer
Government
Restaurants Sports
Global Warming
Marketing Apple
Television Greenhouse Effect
Google
End of Oil World Hunger
Kyoto Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Anyone and Everyone can be Economically Viable
The ability to collect and convert kinetic energy into electrical energy that can also be stored will
have many benefits. Firstly, it will allow people to create their own electrical energy at no cost (after
purchasing the device). This will be beneficial as people will become self sufficient in creating and using
their own power. Secondly, by having the devices with the ability to transfer energy to a larger grid,
there exists the ability for any person to trade the electrical energy produced and use it as a form of
currency. This will help reduce unemployment as anyone who is physically able to make any sort of
motion will be able to earn money by selling the electrical energy they produce. Furthermore, people in
developing countries that are unable to earn enough money for the basic necessities will be able to earn
money by selling the electrical energy they can produce.
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12. Humans are faced with the challenge of poverty. Over 3 billion people are living on less than
$2.50 a day.12 Many children in developing countries are malnourished because of the lack of a proper
diet and health care. This is a major reason for the death of millions of children in developing countries.
The proposed device will help alleviate the effects of poverty (as long as the device can be made and is
sold for a reasonable price) as anyone will be able to earn money by producing kinetic energy that is
converted by the device into electrical energy and then sell it to companies and people who need the
extra energy.
Portable Energy
Being able to carry a machine that is collecting and storing electrical energy will make it easy to
have electricity in hard to reach places and anyone will be able to continuously fuel the electrical energy
by producing any motion. This would be highly beneficial in mining as people will be able to power their
own lamps by making motions. Furthermore, the portability aspect will allow a person to use their
electrical devices in any situation as they will not have to worry about a power shortage. This can be
useful for people going to places to do research that are not highly developed. In developing countries,
energy can also be used to power heat sources for cooking and sanitation which would immediately
raise the standard of living.
Energy Pooling
A key potential use for the device is as a tool that pools the energy from various devices into a
larger hub in order to be able to power larger equipment. For example, employees of a company may
be able to sell their electrical energy to their company, so that the company can power the building.
This can be highly useful for large corporations that are being held more responsible for their energy
consumption and their pollution. Furthermore, large buses, trains and planes could use energy
produced by passengers in order to operate. The energy may not be adequate to run the equipment
but it could help reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
Energy Farms
Since the device converts kinetic energy to electrical energy, there is the potential of raising
animals whose sole responsibility is to move around all day and the electrical energy from their devices
are collected and sold to companies that require more electrical energy. There are more opportunities
12
http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats
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13. for farmers to make more money during off peak seasons as they can raise the animals to generate
revenue by selling the electrical energy produced through their devices.
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