Ecosistema Urbano’s Amazing LED Energy Carousel is Powered by Play!

<a href="http://ecosistemaurbano.com/portfolio/energy-carousel/" target="_blank">Ecosistema Urbano</a> recently unveiled an amazing energy-generating carousel in the Netherlands that produces power while lighting up riders' lives! Ropes, pulleys and levers hang from the red and white canopy, inviting visitors to play - and as it spins the carousel harvests energy to power a built-in light show. Set in Governeursplein Square Park in Dordrecht, the Energy Carousel was created as part of a project by The Centre for Visual Arts to create inventive, playful objects for the public space.

Amsterdam’s <a href="http://www.carve.nl/">Carve</a> design bureau invited 10 European design firms to create innovative projects that would appeal to all ages, encourage play, and help make the new Governeursplein Square more fun and interactive for members of the community.

The Energy Carousel's swirling peppermint canopy shelters a series of swing ropes hung at different heights.

There are handles for pulling and seats for sitting on the lower levels - children can use the seats to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/brilliant-rocking-knit-chair-creates-winter-hats-while-you-sit/" target="_blank">swing back and forth to generate power</a>, while adults and older kids can grab onto the hanging ropes and pull them in a circle to spin the carousel.

The carousel stores all of the kinetic energy made by swinging and pulling the ropes in a battery beneath the playground’s surface. Each night at dusk, the stored energy is put to use, lighting up lamps within the carousel.

More <a href="http://inhabitat.com/project-cycling-bus-powered-by-passengers-on-board/" target="_blank">interactive play</a> during the day makes the LED lights last longer at night.

The carousel gives the neighborhood a fun and interactive new meeting place while teaching adults and children about renewable energy.