Week 11: Reading 01 - Biomechanical Energy Harvesting

As mentioned in my reflection of my Week 7 Reading, I felt that more researched needed to be conducted into the idea of how the Power Generating Grid would work in order to make the concept more feasible. In my research I came across an article titled “Biomechanical Energy Harvesting” published in Volume 319 of Science on 8 February, 2008.

The first paragraph of the article starts with the sentence “Humans are a rich source of energy” which is the concept fuelling the Power Generating Grid from Project 1. My initial thoughts about the Power Generating Grid were that different pressure points would be created by people walking on it. The differences within these pressure points could then be converted into electricity. Similar to the idea of “Electric Clothes” in the article “Innovations That Will Change Your Tomorrow” by Maggie Koerth-Baker (http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/06/03/magazine/innovations-issue.html). In this case, differences in temperature are converted into electricity, which I believe could also work for this proposed Power Generating Grid in Paddington.

This article however details the garnering of electricity through a device carried on the wearer; a “biomechanical energy harvester” used in generating and collecting electricity through walking via a device attached to the knee. The device is aimed towards charging prosthetic limbs and medical devices through minimal effort.

Perhaps our initial ideas for the Power Generating Grid for 2062 were a bit too ambitious for 2020 and this is a more rational alternative.

The biomechanical energy harvest that the article is talking about is one worn on the knee:

SOURCE: REFER BELOW

 The article also mentions that similar devices have been create that harnesses electricity from the compression in the shoe sole. However, in comparing one device to the other, this was not found to be as successful as the device that attaches to the knee. Drawing on from this idea though, the concept of having a device inserted into the sole of the shoe in order to generate electricity through compression could work successfully on a larger scale, especially if implemented in a sustainable precinct such as the one proposed for Paddington.

Residents/workers/occupants of the precinct could purchase the device which would be adaptable to a variety of shoe types, with some shoes being pre-fitted with the device. The device would connect wirelessly to the Power Generating Grid implemented into the existing road infrastructure and foundations, transferring the electricity into the main grid of Paddington. This self, sustainable supply of electricity would then be used to support the entire precinct (in particular the pods that make up the proposed Personal Rapid Transit System) without support from the main Brisbane Power Grid.

Walking, sports, gymming or any form of activity that requires physical exertion would be promoted in the Precinct which aligns with the precincts focus on health, social and environmental sustainability.

Reference:

Donelan, J. M., Hoffer, J. A., Kuo, A. D., Li, Q., Naing, V. & Weber, D.J. (2008). Biomechanical Energy Harvesting: Generating Electricity During Walking with Minimal User Effort. Science, 319(5864), 807-810. DOI: 10.1126/science.1149860