Sustainable Energy Can be Generated by the Weight of Pedestrians and Cars

Scientists have come up with a new, innovative way to generate electricity. They've created a system capable of using vehicular flow to generate electric energy. In fact, this development has the potential to produce enough energy to power up a household through a device that "catches" the force of moving cars.

"This is a technology that provides sustainable energy and could be implemented at low prices, since it's a complement of already existing infrastructure: the concrete of streets and avenues," said Hector Recardo Macias Hernandez, one of the researchers, in a new release.

So how does it work exactly? It consists in a system that integrates a ramp-step (elaborated with polymeric material similar to the ones used in the manufacture of tires) that elevates to five centimeters above the level of the street. When the ramp receives the impact of the vehicle, it exerts pressure on a set of bellows below.

When the bellows feel this pressure, they expel air that they contain at a certain pressure through a hose. Then, the element travels to a tank where it is compressed and relaunched to an electricity generating turbine. This accumulation of electric energy is proportional to the flow of cars over a determinate spot. Yet over "slow" areas, several ramp-steps could be placed to multiply the impact of every individual vehicle.

This technology may be made for vehicles, but it also could be used in places with high pedestrian flow. In fact, the steps of people could generate electricity just as the cars do. Locations such as the subway would be ideal for this type of technology.

The findings could reveal a whole new way to generate electricity. More specifically, the development is translated into a source of sustainable energy that implies a low execution cost. This could be huge as far as sustainable energy goes; if the technology is implemented on roads and sidewalks, there could be a new way to power homes and offices in the future. Currently, though, the scientists are examining the viability of the project before implementation.