International musician Akon teamed up with Shell to highlight innovative smarter energy options by unveiling Africa’s first human- and solar-powered soccer pitch at the Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos. The new pitch is the latest initiative from Shell’s #makethefuture program.
The pitch was refurbished by Shell using more than 90 underground tiles that capture kinetic energy created by the movement of the players. The tiles are the invention of a young British entrepreneur and founder of Pavegen, Laurence Kemball-Cook, who has been supported through Shell LiveWIRE. The kinetic energy is then stored and combined with power generated by solar panels to operate the new floodlights. This enables students to play at night and provides a safer and more secure space at the heart of the community.
Siji Olusanya, provost of the Federal College of Education, Akoka, added, “We have more than 10,000 student teachers, who will benefit from this innovative solution to light our football pitch. They will be the next generation of teachers across Nigeria and can use their first-hand experience of this pitch to inspire their pupils that they too can work toward developing bright energy ideas that could make a real difference to their community, Nigeria or even the world. Not only our students but the community that surrounds us will all get to benefit from this pitch for years to come.”
December 17, 2015
