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Gyms to Convert Human Energy into Electricity for the Grid

http://oilprice.com -- Energy is used to run everything. Anything that moves or performs some function does so via the use of energy. Energy is never destroyed, but during certain processes it can be converted into different types of energy. Heat energy from the sun is converted into electricity in solar panels. Potential energy in coal is converted into heat energy when burnt, which in turn is turned into electricity. Potential energy in food is turned into energy to power the human body when eaten. Within reason energy can be converted form one form to another with relative ease.

So creating electricity from solar and wind seems obvious because it is common, but what about converting the energy of the human body into electricity? In the gym humans use lots of energy to move weights and exercise. The Great O

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Submitted May 03, 2012 By: WxVette

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 8:19:53 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse interesting piece, except, it's by oilprice.com which IMO is not a very credible source of quality reporting.
1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,357,065 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 5, 2012 7:31:21 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse so you can see right through it.
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,018 Points:601,635 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 1:23:09 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
dave12 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,111 Points:1,838,165 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 5:54:27 AM Ignore dave12 Report Abuse I think it is more LIB nonsense!
dave12 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,111 Points:1,838,165 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 5:52:30 AM Ignore dave12 Report Abuse Or is it another LIB stupid feel good total waste of everything?
dave12 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,111 Points:1,838,165 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 5:50:49 AM Ignore dave12 Report Abuse Is it really worth the cost?
leraar2 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,779 Points:790,605 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 4:01:29 AM Ignore leraar2 Report Abuse converting high fructose corn syrup to electricity. who would have thought.
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,131 Points:825,570 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 2:31:45 AM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse Except that gyms use enormous amounts of power, far more than would ever be accumulated through any energy from the people working out there. The lights, heater or A/C, washing machines, dryers, jacuzzi, steam room, hot water heater, hairdryers, and workout machines like treadmills all require energy. And that doesn't even count the vacuum cleaners, cash registers, computers, printers, etc. that you would also use in a gym. The Lifecycle bikes and Elliptical machines only generate enough power to tell you what you accomplished in your workout. The article is more of a silly story about "potential energy" rather than something that could actually be accomplished. Notice there is no actual data in the article of how much power is used by the gym versus how much has been accumulated and stored through workouts. It sounds more like a con man pitching snake oil. What is next -- zoo and pet shop animals running on wheels to generate power??? [Edited by: Alaydown at 5/4/2012 2:35:29 AM EST]
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:5,507 Points:1,513,005 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 1:55:49 AM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse Wyld idea.
justneedgas Rookie Author Sacramento Posts:2 Points:11,365 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 1:18:49 AM Ignore justneedgas Report Abuse Yeah, why hasn't this been done? It may not generate vast amounts of electricity, but maybe it would be enough to reduce the gym's costs (and gym membership price) by some fraction.
khareabhishek All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:812 Points:401,655 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:21:42 AM Ignore khareabhishek Report Abuse I heard we already have too much of electricity.
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,237 Points:821,245 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:21:05 AM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse work out and pay their electric bill ...what a concept!
wz Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,499 Points:1,280,040 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:20:47 AM Ignore wz Report Abuse Or you can convert that human energy directly into transportation fuel. It's called a bicycle. Great for short trips around town, but not so much for cross country travels.
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:7,292 Points:1,640,885 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:16:52 AM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse They will be lucky to get enough energy out of the exercise machines to even keep the lights on in the gym.
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,522 Points:606,375 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:16:39 AM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse Now, there is a great purpose to exercise: generate energy & save the world. Great.
crreed1 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:2,000 Points:2,529,260 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:15:42 AM Ignore crreed1 Report Abuse ok
GasholeMI Champion Author Lansing Posts:10,154 Points:1,721,215 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:13:55 AM Ignore GasholeMI Report Abuse As long as they do not require us to go to the gym.
rawdog1313 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,319 Points:1,645,830 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:12:53 AM Ignore rawdog1313 Report Abuse OK......?
LiquidGold2011 Sophomore Author California Posts:101 Points:202,840 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:12:49 AM Ignore LiquidGold2011 Report Abuse It's about time! I had this thought 20+ years ago! Even if the energy produced is modest, every little bit helps. Capturing the energy is relatively simple from elliptical machines, rowers, and stair-steppers. It might even be fun to see how much energy one produces by how many appliances "light up" on a display, or how many barrels of oil decrease as a consequence of reduced need for petroleum production.
mrbee Champion Author Little Rock Posts:3,769 Points:2,468,605 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:10:39 AM Ignore mrbee Report Abuse Your kidding, right?
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,669 Points:2,362,895 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:10:31 AM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse Start with all the bicycles and treed mills and store it or send it back to the grid. There is so much we can do. We can generate electricity at small spots but big electricity does not want to do that anymore. So much water flows out of the ground that could be used to run smaller water turbines for energy.
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:8,313 Points:1,905,055 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:09:56 AM Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse sounds fun
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:7,032 Points:2,561,810 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:09:20 AM Ignore speedys Report Abuse And when they stop for a rest we lose power.
nomad228 Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,117 Points:575,140 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:09:15 AM Ignore nomad228 Report Abuse now if we can just harness all those kids in the schools,but mr president obama doesn't want farm kids doing chores ,soooooooo if we call it gym class and exercise we can get them to power their schools.put the little gerbils on their(treadmill or elliptical) wheels and let them run a few miles each class. then the schools can give taxpayers some of those levy monies back. : ) hahahahahaha
LEGION57 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:1,676 Points:283,110 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:08:24 AM Ignore LEGION57 Report Abuse Smart
pastorpaulcg Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,615 Points:775,785 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:08:24 AM Ignore pastorpaulcg Report Abuse Okay
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,970 Points:835,630 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:07:42 AM Ignore regout Report Abuse OK.
CartelBuster Veteran Author Detroit Posts:419 Points:1,582,530 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:06:57 AM Ignore CartelBuster Report Abuse Just another BO "Hope & Change" scheme
tampacrvdriver Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,366 Points:715,135 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:04:31 AM Ignore tampacrvdriver Report Abuse I seriously doubt this will yield anything significant.
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,982 Points:683,990 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:03:38 AM Ignore jrschl Report Abuse Free memberships then, I assume...
Rooster922 Champion Author Wilmington Posts:3,803 Points:658,995 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:03:27 AM Ignore Rooster922 Report Abuse Like a mouse on a treadmill attach to a electric wire.
sunny_dsm Sophomore Author San Jose Posts:186 Points:789,720 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:02:44 AM Ignore sunny_dsm Report Abuse I think my gym's stationary bikes will charge up your iPod, although I've never tried it. I think this is an excellent idea!
FrugalLadyTX Rookie Author Houston Posts:35 Points:3,840 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:00:35 AM Ignore FrugalLadyTX Report Abuse well if this could work practically that would be pretty good...there are going to be X amount of people going to a gym for a workout anyway...why not tap into that energy...for those who are competitive (as so many in the gym are) this could prove to be a good thing...especially for those athletes who are no longer able to acutally participate in their chosen field...etc., etc. I can see this, but then, I've always had 'vision' LOL Economically viable? Well, all depends on what is being powered by the 'energy' being used to generate wattage. My homemade solar panel runs my battery chargers (4), and charges my electric toothbrush and other such small appliances. One of these days I will actually progress to a larger panel...probably a factory made, rather than a DIY. So, economically viable...sure, why not. Every little bit, every effort....counts. Anyway...as for as conceptual? There are so many people in this world that don't get concepts at all...they are stricly literal people...and the measure of just how literal varies with each person. These people usually have little or no vision, as they can not see the concept, the big picture. It takes all kinds to make the world turn.We need each and every type. And just how boring it would be if we were all the same. (smile)
jjfisher All-Star Author Toledo Posts:547 Points:750,960 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:58:43 PM Ignore jjfisher Report Abuse alright.
sehonda Champion Author Honolulu Posts:2,048 Points:917,960 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:58:00 PM Ignore sehonda Report Abuse convert human waste into energy...
LQQKGAS Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,678 Points:1,198,820 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:53:41 PM Ignore LQQKGAS Report Abuse When it spins, it can create electricity, so an electric vehicle should be able to generate its own power and never have to be recharged? On Gilligans island they created electricity by pedaling a bike to run a light bulb and the radio. [Edited by: LQQKGAS at 5/3/2012 11:56:12 PM EST]
dcjauburn Champion Author Sacramento Posts:12,478 Points:2,242,515 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:52:04 PM Ignore dcjauburn Report Abuse Solar panels convert photons, not heat, from the sun into electricity, in fact it has been found the more energy is produced on cool clear days. [Edited by: dcjauburn at 5/3/2012 11:51:51 PM EST]
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,098 Points:1,393,795 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:51:48 PM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse I think this is more of a novelty rather than a practical solution. It won't be economically viable.
chvytruk All-Star Author Kentucky Posts:771 Points:377,810 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:51:04 PM Ignore chvytruk Report Abuse Great idea, but why do images of slaves rowing medieval galleys run though my mind at the thought?
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,277 Points:591,330 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:50:33 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Interesting...
tc316 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:10,801 Points:1,729,805 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:50:05 PM Ignore tc316 Report Abuse Good luck
jessek Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,657 Points:1,280,490 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:49:28 PM Ignore jessek Report Abuse Right.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,080 Points:1,734,140 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:46:34 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse this is why people don't get it concept to practicallity is missing
furiousfowl Champion Author Riverside Posts:16,870 Points:2,752,105 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:45:48 PM Ignore furiousfowl Report Abuse cool
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,186 Points:1,933,405 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:43:59 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse What a great idea!
robaloma Champion Author Houston Posts:2,616 Points:694,550 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:43:08 PM Ignore robaloma Report Abuse wow
drz614 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:2,314 Points:601,145 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:42:07 PM Ignore drz614 Report Abuse ok
jerej829 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,866 Points:696,665 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:39:32 PM Ignore jerej829 Report Abuse Go for it [Edited by: jerej829 at 5/3/2012 11:39:00 PM EST]
FunMyster All-Star Author Indiana Posts:907 Points:73,215 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:39:13 PM Ignore FunMyster Report Abuse How about at home?
preacherjohn Champion Author Modesto Posts:4,002 Points:1,922,625 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:39:04 PM Ignore preacherjohn Report Abuse We'll see ..