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Fans' Steps Power NHL Future: U of Guelph's Innovation
22 Mar
Summary
- Students proposed kinetic floor tiles to generate electricity from fan movement.
- Their project, 'Every Step Counts,' reached the NHL Hockey Innovation Competition finals.
- The innovation aims to power NHL arenas using fan-generated kinetic energy.
Four University of Guelph students are finalists in the NHL and NHLPA Hockey Innovation Competition for their project, "Every Step Counts." This initiative proposes equipping NHL arenas with kinetic floor tiles. These tiles would harness the energy generated by fans walking across them, transforming this movement into usable electricity.
The second-year sport management students were inspired by the successful use of kinetic tiles at concerts and other large events. They recognized the potential to implement this technology within the sports industry to engage fans and promote sustainability. The team will present their idea at the competition in Ottawa on March 25.
The competition, focused on future hockey infrastructure, invited students to develop innovative solutions for challenges facing the sport. The University of Guelph team is among six finalists, with other entries from various Ontario post-secondary institutions. The NHL aims to leverage student creativity to reimagine hockey spaces and enhance community engagement.
