Duracell Smart Power Lab gears up for the New Year

BETHEL, Conn. Pedalers at the Duracell Smart Power Lab are well on their way to generating approximately 32,000 watt hours that will power the iconic 2010 numbers for 30 minutes during the New Year's Eve Ball drop ceremony. The new Duracell Smart Power Lab, which opened on Nov. 23, is free to the public and located just above the Charmin Restrooms in the heart of New York City's Times Square.

"The countdown to New Year's has begun! Our partnership with the public to light up 2010 is a larger than life symbol of our commitment to do what we do best - delivering power when people need it most," said Craig Bida, Duracell brand manager. "We had a great start and want to welcome anyone in the New York City area to visit the Duracell Smart Power Lab to join us in powering in the new decade."

In the coming month, Duracell will host a variety of special guests at the Smart Power Lab, where VIPs will participate in power generation - pedaling one of six Duracell Power Rovers to contribute to the almost 1,000 pedaling hours needed to power the 2010 numerals. This week's special VIP pedalers included "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" stars Chaske Spencer and Peter Facinelli, actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar, and the Volunteers of America's Sidewalk Santas.

Ensuring that consumers outside of New York City can share in the experience, Duracell also announced that the Virtual Smart Power Lab is up and running at powerlab.duracell.com. Site visitors can find updates of the power collection, see photos of the Power Rovers, take a tour of the Lab and more. And, to guarantee that all moments are captured for the Virtual Smart Power Lab, Duracell has enlisted the help of three correspondents.