Originally posted by Andrew HamiltonCool.
But then, to my surprise, I found that carbon nanotube springs can also be used to store energy with an energy density similar to that in the best lithium batteries!
Originally posted by twhiteheadI hadn’t thought of that one.
and using my exercise bicycle wind up my laptop.
Originally posted by Andrew HamiltonI've thought about this for a while.
I hadn’t thought of that one.
Could extend that idea:
Perhaps all the exercise equipment in gyms can be hooked-up to electric generators that generate and then feed electric power to the electric grid as people exercise?
-so you can keep yourself fit and reduce carbon emissions and benefit the energy economy all at the same time.
Originally posted by Andrew HamiltonIt sounds good, but if my experience with dynamos on bicycles is anything to go by, the output would be negligible. It probably wouldn't even be enough to provide the lighting for the gym. Don't even think about heating the pool.
Perhaps all the exercise equipment in gyms can be hooked-up to electric generators that generate and then feed electric power to the electric grid as people exercise?
-so you can keep yourself fit and reduce carbon emissions and benefit the energy economy all at the same time.
Originally posted by Proper Knobhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_generator#Human_powered_electrical_generators
I've thought about this for a while.
A friend of mine at my old gym once suggested to the management the idea of hooking the cardio machines up to electric generators which could then contribute to the electric for the lights. They looked at him like he'd just dropped out the sky.
My idea is to have all prisoners on electric generating bicycles for ...[text shortened]... tain amount of time a day. Part of their debt to society can be the production of electricity.
Originally posted by joneschrIt is definitely insignificant. Thats three light bulbs. For the period that he is peddling only. Its not even enough to run a computer (assuming you don't spend all day exercising).
This guy generates 300 watts and he's 55 years old. Definitely not insignificant.
http://www.los-gatos.ca.us/davidbu/pedgen.html
Originally posted by Andrew HamiltonThe apparent advantage of the nanospring is not so much its efficiency, but its energy density. The main use of high energy densities is in portable equipment.
When a wind turbine is collected a lot of power from the wind at a time when there is a lack of demand for electricity, perhaps rather than generate electricity it could store that mechanical energy in a nano-spring -unit (if I may call it that) in the wind turbine and then later on when there is no wind but high demand for electric power the mechani ...[text shortened]... ould be used to drive the electric generator of the wind turbine but without turning the blades.
Originally posted by twhiteheadI wasn’t aware of the nanospring recharge-discharge ( if I may call it that ) efficiency.
The apparent advantage of the nanospring is not so much its efficiency, but its energy density. The main use of high energy densities is in portable equipment.
I think there are probably more efficient (and significantly cheaper) methods of storing power than nano-springs.
Originally posted by Andrew HamiltonI don't know what the efficiency is. What I do know is that your first post points out its energy density. The main reason why we want high energy density is for use in portable batteries. This could include cameras, laptops, phones and even cars. High energy densities are not really that important for large scale power storage. What is important there is the recharge discharge efficiency. Unless that is unusually high for nano-springs, there is no real reason to think they would be any more useful than current methods - which include things like storing heat in molten salt, or pumping water up a hill.
I wasn’t aware of the nanospring recharge-discharge ( if I may call it that ) efficiency.
Originally posted by twhitehead“....Surely if we find better power generation methods, the first to go should be coal plant and other fossil fuel based power generation? ...”
I don't know what the efficiency is. What I do know is that your first post points out its energy density. The main reason why we want high energy density is for use in portable batteries. This could include cameras, laptops, phones and even cars. High energy densities are not really that important for large scale power storage. What is important there is ...[text shortened]... Hydro-electric remains one of the most environment friendly power generation methods there is.