Posted by Jonathan Adler:
Power Bumps:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_02_15-2009_02_21.shtml#1234812896
The Guardian [1]reports on British plans to install "'green' speed
bumps" that will generate electricity as cars drive over them --
costlessly, of course.
The ramps - which cost between £20,000 and £55,000, depending on
size - consist of a series of panels set in a pad virtually flush
to the road. As the traffic passes over it, the panels go up and
down, setting a cog in motion under the road. This then turns a
motor, which produces mechanical energy. A steady stream of traffic
passing over the bump can generate 10-36kW of power.
The bumps can each produce between £1 and £3.60 of energy an hour
for up to 16 hours a day, or between £5,840 and £21,024 a year.
Energy not used immediately can be stored or fed into the national
grid.
I share the [2]skepticism at Coyote Blog, but we'll see.
References
1.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/08/alternative-energy-speed-bumps
2.
http://www.coyoteblog.com/coyote_blog/2009/02/vampiric-power-production.html
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