Shell and Pelé Unveil First Football Pitch to be Powered by Players' Footsteps

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (ots/PRNewswire) -

Pitch set to inspire next generation of scientists to tackle the
global

energy challenge

Brazilian football legend Pele today helped Shell shine a light on
the world's energy future by unveiling a first-of-its-kind
player-powered community football pitch in the heart of a Rio de
Janeiro favela.

As a real-world example that ideas can come from anywhere, Shell
has used the invention of a young entrepreneur to solve a challenge
for the Morro da Mineira community. The football pitch, a key part of
life for favela residents, was refurbished by Shell using 200
high-tech, underground tiles that capture kinetic energy created by
the movement of the players. This energy is then stored and combined
with the power generated by solar panels next to the pitch to convert
into renewable electricity for the new floodlights, giving everyone
in the favela, and especially young people, a safe and secure
community space at night.

Andre Araujo, Shell Brazil Country Chair, said: "By 2050, the
world will be using 75 per cent more energy than it does now. Meeting
that extra demand will require a set of energy sources - and a new
generation of scientists and engineers with the passion, ideas and
innovation to develop it."

Mr Araujo also explained: "The pitch proves the potential and
power when scientists and entrepreneurs focus their efforts to
develop creative and innovative energy solutions. By tapping into the
world's passion and interest in football, we aim to capture the
attention of youngsters around the world so they think differently
about energy and the opportunity of science studies and careers."

Pele who joined Shell to officially open the pitch, said:
"Football is Brazil's biggest passion and the sport has gone through
so much technological innovation since the last time I played. This
new pitch shows the extraordinary things possible when science and
sport come together. The Morro da Mineira community will now be able
to use this sports facility as a safe gathering place - all thanks to
the floodlights powered by the community's football players."

The Morro da Mineira project is part of the Shell #makethefuture
programme, which aims to inspire young people and entrepreneurs to
look at science and engineering as a career choice, and in particular
use their minds to develop energy solutions for the future of the
planet. For more than 30 years, the international Shell LiveWIRE
programme, alongside other Shell science, education and innovation
programmes, has been a catalyst for young entrepreneurs and students
to develop enterprising ideas into viable and sustainable businesses.
The kinetic technology used at this football pitch has been developed
by a grant recipient of the UK Shell LiveWIRE.

Laurence Kemball-Cook, Pavegen founder and CEO and Shell LiveWIRE
UK Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in 2011, said: "Having
received support from Shell to develop my vision, I'm lucky enough to
now use my ideas to meet the energy challenge. This new football
pitch is an exciting example that every child in a classroom can
understand and see first-hand the vital role technology and
innovation play in shaping our planet not only now, but in the
future."

The Morro da Mineira project illustrates how creative ideas
delivered through committed partnerships can shape neighbourhoods and
transform communities.

Pedro Veiga, coordinator of the Rio+Social programme of the
Instituto Pereira Passos (IPP) added: "To have a project like this on
our doorstep will make a real difference to Morro da Mineira. Until
it was redeveloped by Shell, the football pitch was largely unusable
and many of our young people were being forced to play in the
streets. You never know, this example of innovation might even
inspire some of the kids to dream of being the next Isaac Newton!"

Shell believes that in the power of people's ingenuity lie the
answers to tomorrow's challenges and that by bringing people
together, people can #makethefuture today. For more surprising
examples of science in action and to hear from inspired young
scientists from around the world visit YouTube.com/
[https://www.youtube.com/user/shellletsgo ]shellletsgo
[https://www.youtube.com/user/shellletsgo ].

Notes to Editor:

The press materials below can be downloaded here
[http://badermedia.isebox.net/shell/shell-energy-future-brazil
](http://isbx.it/2085d):

- Football pitch technical fact sheet
- Morro da Mineira fact sheet
- Shell Brazil fact sheet
- Shell LiveWIRE fact sheet
- Still photography of the pitch - prior to and following refurbishment
- Video b-roll
- Biographies of Pele, Andre Araujo, Laurence Kemball-Cook and Pedro Veiga

Royal Dutch Shell plc

Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has
its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam,
and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more
than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and
gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied
natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping
of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For
further information, visit http://www.shell.com [http://www.enews.sh
ell.com/rfpjazh8ep03bhginvv3hn?email=true&a=5&p=47779630&t=28019753
].

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