Viable or not? More roadways energy pilot programs (piezoelectric) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: strangersound
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 03:09:15 pm
content: The idea is putting piezoelectric crystals in or on the roads to generate electricity. Very few real details or data, just the usual hype type article. Looks like a job for Dave and Thunderfoot to examine and crunch some numbers on.Here's a quote and the link:Quotehttp://www.ecowatch.com/california-freeways-generate-electricity-piezoelectric-crystals-1967109463.html

author: timgiles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 03:46:39 pm
content: The video shows a mechanical system that uses plates that are driven over to move vertical bars which in turn cause clutched wheels (I assume) to turn a main spindle that then turns a generator. Wheres the piezo electric crystals? Or am I totally misunderstanding the video?

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 03:49:28 pm
content: I hope they just put in a wank animation by accident, because they make this look BAD.A system that actually used crytal pucks or plates with no moving parts would be far more practical. Whether it would be cost-effective still needs to be determined.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 04:01:29 pm
content: There's already been some discussion of Gatto's California freeways pilot program here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/suggestions/piezo-roadways/No-one got into technical details but IMHO the consensus was the idea stinks.

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 04:46:48 pm
content: When will people learn you can't get energy for free. If you are "extracting" energy here from the motion of vehicles, how does it affect the movement of the cars and trucks? Piezo's use the compression of rolling over them and convert it to electricity. The vehicles rolling over such a surface will feel as if they are sinking a slight amount over each "puck" and then have to work a bit to hop up on to the next uncompressed puck. Energy will be sucked out of the traffic.That means we will also have less fuel efficiency as drivers on these roads get drained of speed to power the system... also with huge build costs and maintenance issues not yet mentioned. Is it really worth it?Why not just strap big magnets under cars and embed copper wire in the road, as they drive over it they would induce current and power the city!

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 06:50:15 pm
content: Quote from: edy on August 16, 2016, 04:46:48 pm... and abolish the speed limit so I can contribute more to the common good.

author: Artlav
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 07:06:56 pm
content: I never expected to say a phrase like that, but Solar Roadways are more practical and efficient than this thing.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 07:25:49 pm
content: QuoteMaybe they could combine the two - make use of the massive amount of braking that will happen with cars on a glass surface.Maybe the screams of those that are hurdling towards their death on a glassy surface could be harnessed by this as well.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 07:40:50 pm
content: Harness the screams for power like in Monsters Inc. :-P

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 09:26:11 pm
content: "you can't get energy for free. "It depends on your perspective. Your parents gifts to you are certainly free to you but not to them.Solar energy on earth is free, as cosmic rays going through earth, if you can capture it. Or nuclear energy......If the contraption here is about converting otherwise unused energy from vehicles, like braking, it is indeed helpful. Otherwise, it is essentially a tax on the traveling population and can be done much more efficiently.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 09:30:00 pm
content: Bullshit. Just likePavegen