Texas Universities Harness Human Power
As Kristi Sandoval, a senior at Texas State University, pumps her legs on an elliptical machine in the schools' gym, a tiny cord transmits the energy she creates to a metal box on the wall. From there, the pulse enters the campus power grid, where it might go to fuel the lights above Sandoval's head or a professor's coffee pot across campus.
For Sandoval, just the thought of it makes her run a little faster. "On these elliptical I do more than I've done before on any other treadmill or exercise bike," she said. "I think it ...
Comments (9)
Tyler Norris via Texas Tribune on Facebook
So can plugging it in
Bob Brown via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Tyler you mean plugging it in to coal? Because that is what you are most likely doing.
Ben Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Guess which is a cleaner source of energy and beneficial to the people participating!
Tamara Zalud via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Children can pump water in Africa, too.
Nick Zalud via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Roundabout PlayPump - http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2005/10/south_africa_th.html
Tyler Norris via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yes Bob, I do mean plugging it into power from COAL.
Bob Brown via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Tyler, so are you against harnassing the power generated by people that are going to be exercising anyway? If not, I don't understand how your comment is relative. If you are against this, I still don't understand.
Robbie Searcy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Can you store it?
Bob Brown via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Robbie, as with most alternative forms of energy these days it goes back into the grid, as it says in the article. So it replaces coal fired or whatever energy in the bank. You may not use those electrons but you bank them for when you need them.
Contrary to what some people may argue every little bit helps. If we can find enough little bits they become a large deal.