The primary purpose of this 'activity' display is to demonstrate the difference in the amount of energy required to power 'ordinary' compared to 'energy saving' lamps. Electricity is generated by the rider and the energy being used by each lamp is indicated on panel meters. The greater effort required to energise the 'ordinary lamp' in comparison to the 'energy saving' lamp becomes obvious since there is a 5:1 ratio of energy consumption. It takes less that 30 seconds to get the message across!

Interestingly, this display also demonstrates renewable energy and waste minimisation since the Carbon Cycle is based on a modified second hand exercise bike and mostly scrap or reused materials. The energy generated and carbon dioxide emitted (via the rider's breath) is derived from food eaten by the rider - not fossil fuel! Find out more ...

Illuminator

This display demonstrates that 5 'energy saving' lamps can be lit by the same amount of energy required to light a single 'ordinary lamp'. A panel meter indicates energy being used by the 'ordinary lamp' and a second panel meter indicates the cumulative energy being used by the 'energy efficient' lamps. Once initiated by the viewer pressing the start press-button, all the lamps are switched on and off individually in a set sequence by a microcontroller. The display is battery powered and on a full charge will last an event day so no safety/trip hazard exists from power cables running to the display. As far as possible, this display is made from scrap and re-used materials hence demonstrating waste minimisation. Find out more ...