It may not be green to use the energy expend by fitness nuts and people trying to lose weight but if harvesting some of that otherwise wasted energy were able to help reduce the impact of energy generation to the planet. . .
Then the only question would be what does it cost to implement? Does it cost less to implement than to generate the same amount of energy normally? More than likely the answer to the second question is yes so it would be a moot point anyway.
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You ask the key question here ...and the one that is always overlooked by the wind farm and solar cell enthusiasts....and the answer is not always all that positive!
There is a difference between cost and consequences.
If you assume that:
- Climate Change is real and man-made, then the consequences (costs and other) of not swapping to non-Carbon emitting energy sources outweigh the current costs.
- Fossil fuels are finite, then the consequences (costs and other) of not swapping to "renewable" energy sources outweigh the current costs.
It is false economy to save a billion dollars now, only to have to pay a 10s of billions in a decade's time.
That said, the amount of reduction in energy consumption required should be achievable by improved energy efficiency.
Do most devices really need to use Watts of power in stand-by mode?
Take the cheap power packs that a lot of devices have these days.
My friend and I measured 3 in our house and found they used 10W each, even though the items they powered were turned off!
IMO, a good example of capturing waste energy is regenerative braking.
In vehicles above a certain weight, the additional weight of the system can be offset by a weight reduction in the main engine.
If you assume that:
- Climate Change is real and man-made, then the consequences (costs and other) of not swapping to non-Carbon emitting energy sources outweigh the current costs.
- Fossil fuels are finite, then the consequences (costs and other) of not swapping to "renewable" energy sources outweigh the current costs.
It is false economy to save a billion dollars now, only to have to pay a 10s of billions in a decade's time.
That said, the amount of reduction in energy consumption required should be achievable by improved energy efficiency.
Do most devices really need to use Watts of power in stand-by mode?
Take the cheap power packs that a lot of devices have these days.
My friend and I measured 3 in our house and found they used 10W each, even though the items they powered were turned off!
IMO, a good example of capturing waste energy is regenerative braking.
In vehicles above a certain weight, the additional weight of the system can be offset by a weight reduction in the main engine.
You are quite correct - and all down to thermodynamics and the 'sophistic economy' of the planet - both of which seem to escape the political and management minds!
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