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New Jersey Turnpike As a Power Source?

Posted by kdawson on from the woke-up-this-morning-got-myself-a-generator dept.

New Jersites writes "New Jersey, home of the eponymous Jersey barrier, is considering wind turbines powered by the breeze generated from traffic on the Jersey Turnpike. The wind turbines won't be built on the side of the highway. They will be built inside — what else? — the Jersey barriers. By replacing sections of solid concrete with Darius turbines, they might be able to harvest enough energy to power a light-rail line."

11 of 264 comments (clear)

  1. Finally... by ZiakII · · Score: 5, Funny

    Finally something I have to be proud about in NJ besides the Devils....

  2. yawn by User+956 · · Score: 4, Funny

    y replacing sections of solid concrete with Darius turbines, they might be able to harvest enough energy to power a light-rail line.

    That's boring. Wake me up when they can power a light rail gun.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  3. Why's the train not running? by rmadhuram · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh wait, there's a traffic jam!

  4. An excuse for speeding... by xrapidx · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...this will create a good excuse when pullled over for speeding . You were only trying to do your part to power the light-rail line.

  5. Rediculus by rizole · · Score: 5, Funny

    As has been pointed out already this is a stupid idea. It would make much more sense to put the turbine on the train so it's forward motion can generate electricity. That way the train is self powering. Much greener.

  6. Re:Drag? by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 5, Funny

    A better idea would be to try to harness the anger and frustration of those of us who drive the NJ Turnpike. You could really support the power grid with all that wasted energy.

  7. Re:Yes: Drag. by Bastard+of+Subhumani · · Score: 4, Funny

    The phenomenon is even more pronounced with semi-trucks. "Drafting": following another truck closely to save even more fuel, is a common practice.
    I assume this aerodynamic phenomenon miraculously turns into a cushion in the event that the truck in front has to stop real damn quick?
    --
    Only three things are certain; death, taxes, and apocryphal quotations - Ben Franklin.
  8. Re:Drag? by name*censored* · · Score: 4, Funny
    >>A better idea would be to try to harness the anger and frustration of those of us who drive the NJ Turnpike. You could really >>support the power grid with all that wasted energy.

    >>but won't the turbines cause a drag effect on the cars, resulting in the cars burning more fuel? Is so, aren't they just >>moving the problem from one place to another? There's no such thing as free energy, right?

    Putting two and two together.. wouldn't harnessing the anger make people ANGRIER? There's no such thing as free anger!
    --
    Commodore64_love: I don't comprehend people who're so frightened of death that they'll bankrupt themselves to stay alive
  9. Newsflash! by fury88 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Tonight at 11. Commuters leave roadways to ride new rail. Not enough power to run the rail."

  10. television remote power source .. by rs232 · · Score: 3, Funny

    If they banned television remotes and wired everyones couch to the grid, then every time someone got up to change the channel they would generate power.

    --
    davecb5620@gmail.com
  11. Big Dig problem solved by BitterAndDrunk · · Score: 3, Funny

    There was that one problem, where mob bosses were thinking "hey what can we do to make more money" . . . that problem was solved pretty well I think.

    --
    You better watch out, there may be dogs about . . .