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."

Comments

Re:Cool toy, but...

[Dpaladin]

Yeah, it seems kind of worthless to me... I like how lightbulbs are always the unit of measurement for things like these. Lightbulbs use very little energy. This is what, ~650 kilowatts per day (assuming they're 100 watt bulbs)? That doesn't seem like a whole lot. I mean, it's "free" energy, but I'm pretty sure a solar grid would do a better job. Of course, if it were about efficient energy rather than clean energy, we'd have more nuclear power plants.
 
But hey, I'm no scientist.

Re:Emission free?

[antdude]

Especially if your name is Al Bundy. Can we use our butt gas/fart too?