Latest "Green" Power Generation — Your Feet

gbjbaanb writes "Remember those ideas that suggested hooking gym machines to the power grid? Well, the Times is reporting that something like this to harness free energy is about to become a reality — the footfall of trudging shoppers is to become the latest source of emission-free energy. 'Engineers who have modelled the effects of the technology at Victoria Underground station in central London have calculated that the 34,000 travellers passing through every hour could power 6,500 lightbulbs. ... The plans for heel-strike generation follow successful trials last year at a bridge in the Midlands where generators converted energy from trains passing above into electricity powering a flood detector.' Possibly the most important thing for the readership is at the end: 'There could also be a range of domestic uses, for example powering iPods by plugging them into batteries placed in the owners' heels, using technology which is already available.' Obviously you'd have to get up and walk around, but, as they say, it's the thought that counts."

Not green energy

[BradMajors]

Using humans to generate electricity is not a green source. Humans generate methane, a green house gas, from their fuel (food).

Re:Not green energy

[gbjbaanb]

Using humans to generate electricity is not a green source

yeah, we should ban humans and all the world's energy problems would be over.

Re:There is no free lunch

[Escogido]

this should be compared on even footing in terms of $ per watt of generation capability

I think that if this energy source is compared on even footing with other ones, it wins hands, err, feet down.

who writes these articles?

[brunokummel]

...Obviously you'd have to get up and walk around, but, as they say, it's the thought that counts."

GREAT ! If it's the thought that counts why do I have to get up and walk around??..I could only imagine that I'm walking around and watch those batteries juice up....

Emission free?

[BobNET]

I'm pretty sure my feet are producing harmful emissions right now...

Re:There is no free lunch

[BPPG]

As well as no free energy.

Apparently somebody was paying attention in Grade 10 chemistry.

Even better...

[NerveGas]

As that will make it harder for people to walk, and they will have to expend more energy... that means greater sales in the food court. Woohoo!

What we really need

[Orig_Club_Soda]

is all these exercise machines America uses is to plug in to the wall and transfer the energy we expend at the gym and home to be put to use rather than wasted in heat and friction.

Re:There is no free lunch

[vimm]

That would be smaddox's edit on Sunday June 8, at 5:14 pm