Kinetic energy could provide the world with energy

[Vida May]

https://www.google.com/search?q=pro...2i29i30l3.11793j1j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Check this out. We could end global warming and give the world energy by converting footsteps into kinetic energy.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I'm not sure human walking power generates enough electricity to light more than a few lights. I doubt that foot power would generate enough electricity to be profitable, or truly useful.

 

[Grampa Don]

Looks like an expensive gimmick that produces just enough power for a few LED's. The company is trying to sell its data gathering features, but there are cheaper ways to obtain that.

 

[Don M.]

Interesting concept. However, it would likely cost trillions to coat the global cities sidewalks with such devices, and take decades to create sufficient energy to justify such costs. Far better to invest those funds in wind, solar, nuclear....and hopefully, some day, Nuclear Fusion energy....which could generate almost unlimited electricity.

 

[Jace]

Interesting...but I think comments...might be spot-on!

 

[SeniorBen]

Good idea! They could put them in heavily trafficked sidewalks in major cities and roads too! Actually, roads with surfaces that generate electricity would be even more productive than sidewalks. Turn all that automobile congestion into something useful!

 

[Grampa Don]

Notice that when you step on these things they sink about a quarter inch. And, it takes a little time for them to make a full stroke. So, if you walk fast enough, they won't do a full stroke. Also, the rate of sink probably depends on the weight of the person stepping on them. That rate is important for any type of electromagnetic generator. So, a skinny person walking fast won't generate as much as a fat person walking slowly. A youngster might not generate anything at all.

I can also imagine that the sinking could make them uncomfortable to walk on and might be a tripping hazard.

Finally, these are not really using kinetic energy. They are using the potential energy of a human body dropping about one quarter of an inch. By my calculation, a 100 pound person dropping one quarter inch releases about .0008 Watt hours of energy. That ain't much. And no conversion is 100% efficient.

Of course, I could be completely wrong and maybe in 10 years every street and sidewalk will be paved with these things.

 

[SeniorBen]

Stationary bikes at health clubs could be used to power generators. Or maybe put a bunch of stationary bike powered generators out in public and let people generate power for the community. Everyone could chip in and do a little workout for the good of society.

 

[Capt Lightning]

I think that if we harnessed all the 'Hot air' generated in our parliaments, we could light a small city

 

[Vida May]

Stationary bikes at health clubs could be used to power generators. Or maybe put a bunch of stationary bike powered generators out in public and let people generate power for the community. Everyone could chip in and do a little workout for the good of society.

I definitely think doctor offices should have stationary bikes so all that time spent waiting is not wasted.