TXState converts calories to kilowatts

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - A half hour on the elliptical machine could power your laptop for twice as long. Soon this idea of creating watts by working out will be reality at Texas State University.

Next week, the school’s Student Recreation Center will officially unveil 30 retrofitted elliptical machines able to convert exercise into renewable energy. That energy will then stream into the university power grid.

The unveiling will make the school the first in the state to generate electricity this way, by far the largest of its kind in the world, according to Texas State officials.

"We believe that some of the lifelong habits students acquire are in the college setting," said Daniel Vasquez, associate director of campus recreation.

The school is aiming to teach students about energy use, specifically what it takes to create power and a sustainable community. But becoming the “world’s largest human power plant” has its price.

Texas State’s Environmental Service Committee and the Department of Campus Recreation with support from the Associated Student Government will cover the near $20,000 cost.

A 30-minute workout will produce about 50 watt hours of electricity. Students can begin converting calories to kilowatts next Tuesday.