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Mark, I like your extrapolations of pedalling vs. how much energy one can derive. Believe me, I know what it takes to pedal a bike. I ride for several hours a day. Riding stationary would be a cruise compared to riding on a mountain. I also think a sophisticated transmission system would add greatly to the efficiency.
There's no argument that fossil fuels are limited. The industrial revolution is only slightly over 100 years old. At our current rate of consumption growth, our great grand children will not have oil to play with. Something pretty drastic has to change. The world 100 years from now will look very different.
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quote:
Originally posted by dugger
Absolutely, Silverpenny. I envision a whole industry of healthy young men and women pedallers. Rather than pumping gas, young people will pump their legs.
Really want to do my part..... Putting in my order for the requisite number of young, robust female types to pump day and night to augment/replace my 4.5kw PV system. During non pumping times, they are encouraged to bask in the sunlight allowing maximum exposure for future energy conversion. To be fair, only the young females need apply here so my friends in Puna and Kapoho area may offer a similar opportunity to the male counterparts allowing for a balanced environment.
Wait, might have to run this past Sophie first....
David
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Air powered cars (something discussed awhile back) are already a reality, but mass production has been held back several times. MDI and Tata Motors using the MDI engine, still can't get the range necessary to make it anything but a neighborhood type (golf cart) vehicle. The prototypes are basically the size of a Smart Car. The current 80 cubic foot, 3,000 psi tank made out of composites are basically a large scuba tank and it can only provide enough air to last 30 miles. Anything less than 3,000 psi and the engine wasn't able to negotiate anything but a nice flat paved road, unless you had a tank the size of a mini van.
With Tata involved, it's likely some advances will occur but because the basic energy needed to power the vehicle requires higher psi than a simple air compressor, a single individual probably isn’t capable of producing the amount and pressure to have any impact on air storage.
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Chrysler and the EPA are working on a hybrid that uses hydraulic technology.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf...enDocument
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A person cycling on an exercise bike can generate about 300w if they're very fit.
(source:
http://www.econvergence.net/electrofaqs.htm )
If they do that for an hour, they have generated 300wh = 0.3kwh, which is the equivalent of about 10 cents of electricity.
It's not worth it, except perhaps as a motivator to keep providing power to a tv you're watching while cycling.
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David M:"Wait, might have to run this past Sophie first...."
Betcha Sophie wouldn't mind having some pumping young guns around.
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It is with some measure of regret that I must withdraw my previous offer. Being retired military and drawing deferred compensation, it has come to my attention that for me to benefit from free energy here in Hawaii could be at odds with the position advanced by the OP.
Be it known, that while I have no intention of deriving unearned benefit, I do not regret service for
those content to enjoy such benefits.
Peddle on.....
David
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quote:
Originally posted by dugger
Give me a break.
Proud to be 4F
Forthose that don't understand your statement:
4F: Registrant not acceptable for military service. To be eligible for Class 4-F, a registrant must have been found not qualified for service in the Armed Forces by a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) under the
established physical, mental, or moral standards. The standards of physical fitness that would be used in a future draft would come from AR 40-501.
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I see the solution as primarily involving biofuels, geothermal where applicable and also largely nukes. Biofuels in Kau are a great idea for some fuels and lubricants. Geothermal for electricity for homes and commercial. Geothermal for hydrogen production for fuel cells. Might even make a good export item. For most of the country and even Hawaii, nukes are the big answer. If geothermal is insufficient for the Big Isle perhaps Kohala would be the best place for a nuke. Nukes produce all the electricity needed for home and commercial use and then can also produce hydrogen for transportation. Between biofuels, geothermal and nukes we can say goodby to imported oil and possibly even become an energy exporter.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
