Prince OKAFOR

In a bid to stimulate young minds to create bright ideals for the future, shell teamed up with Brazilian football legend Pelé to bring together Africa and Europe in a first of its kind player-powered energy game; Pelé’s Energy Challenge. The event which took place in Lagos and London simultaneously, helped launch ‘Make the Future London’, a festival of ideas and innovation dedicated to supporting bright energy ideas and providing a platform for innovation, collaboration and conversation about the global energy issues today.

The Shell petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, SPDC, External Relations Communication Manager, Mrs. Sola Abulee, told sweet crude that the essence of this innovation, is to draw the consciousness of Nigerians on the future of energy, adding that “energy is something that will continue to make people think on how to provide it,“We are supporting a campaign that enables people to think creatively about how they can come up with bright idea for energy.”

She noted that “People in the community are the best that understand the solution that can work for them. The essence of putting up this innovation in a teacher training college, is for teachers and lecturers who educate students. Pelé’s Energy Challenge showcased the power of innovative kinetic tile technology that converts footsteps into renewable electricity.

The challenge featured two teams that comprised children from London and Lagos linked up via satellite. The more energy a player generated on the tiles the more time they had to compete, directly linking the technology to the task. Shell previously installed kinetic football pitches in Rio and Lagos, providing a safe environment for the communities to play, with floodlights powered by the players and solar panels.