Energy Line
Gravity Light
An Alternative to Kerosene Lamps It is estimated that there are currently over 1.5 billion people in the world with no reliable access to grid electricity. Lighting in much of the ‘developing’ world is provided via expensive and polluting is through kerosene lamps that are dangerous, require constant replenishment, and come with significant negative health impacts. A sustainable lighting solution powered by gravity (Gravity Light) has now been developed by two London based designers, Martin Riddiford and Jim Reeves of a design and innovation company. They have spent four years working on an inexpensive, safe and health-neutral alternative - a gravity powered LED light! This is a revolutionary new approach to storing energy and creating illumination. It takes only 3 seconds to lift the weight which powers Gravity Light, generating 30 minutes of light through an LED bulb on its descent. While solar PV systems are costly and rely on sunlight and batteries to work, the gravity light requires neither. It will work whether it’s day or night, sunny or cloudy. The device is connected to a bag that can be filled with sand – or some other weight – which is lifted to convenient height. It is then allowed to descent when it runs a tiny generator. Due to the absence of batteries, there are no expenses after the initial investment. Also there are no waste products or deteriorating parts. When mass produced, the target cost for this light is less than $5. [For details: http://deciwatt.org/, http://therefore.com/, http://learningfromdogs.com] Man is a creation of desire, not a creation of need. - Gaston Bachelard 12Executive Knowledge LinesJanuary 2013