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Latest "Green" Power Generation — Your Feet

Posted by timothy on from the my-feet-could-power-gas-generators dept.

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."

7 of 189 comments (clear)

  1. There is no free lunch by Omniscious · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As well as no free energy.

    1. Re:There is no free lunch by gbjbaanb · · Score: 5, Informative

      by people walking on them, it will make it harder to walk

      I remember some adverts for training shoes that had fluid capsules inside them to reduce stresses on your joints (or something, probably just marketing). People bought them but didn't complain they were difficult to walk in. If the generation systems are of the same order, then I can't see a problem.

      I imagine it would cost a fair bit to install, but there's paths everywhere, whereas solar panels have a limited amount of area they can be installed on. Also, these wouldn't require the noxious chemicals solar panels are made of, and wouldn't require as much maintenance (I think).

      For other areas, I thought bridges etc had to have soem 'squidginess' to them, or the traffic riding on them would quickly shake it to bits. As the article said, this principle also applies to antennas that wave in the wind, so its not just going to be used in every pavement in the world.

    2. Re:There is no free lunch by sentientbeing · · Score: 5, Informative

      Youre right.

      I remember this being debunked using basic energy estimates and calculations last year by The Register.

      http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/30/all_the_power_they_would_ever_need/

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      beware he who would deny you access to information, for in his mind he dreams himself your master
  2. Not green energy by BradMajors · · Score: 5, Funny

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

    1. Re:Not green energy by gbjbaanb · · Score: 5, Funny

      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.

  3. who writes these articles? by brunokummel · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...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....
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    What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you and to hear the lamentations of their women.
  4. Emission free? by BobNET · · Score: 5, Funny

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