Related Sections: Green Tech
New source of wind power: Highways?
An innovative designer is working on plans to add some kind of crazy wind turbine energy generator into the barriers between highways. The breeze from the passing cars would then generate a bunch of electricity, actually turning the congested, miserable stretch of road into something that, if not environmentally friendly, is at least a bit less of a kick in the pants to mother nature.
The energy could go toward powering the lights and such along the highway, or even a public-transit system, if it were built alongside or above the highway. Powering things in close proximity would mean the barriers wouldn't have to be hooked up to the main grid, which would be more efficient and save a bunch of money. Oh yeah, and saving the environment. That's cool too.
Metropolis Mag, via UberReview
CORRECTION: The original version of this story reported that the wind-turbine barriers were planned for New Jersey, but that appears to be an erroneous assumption based on the official name for the barriers, called Jersey barriers. Apologies to all, especially New Jerseyans. You know we love you guys. Go Devils!
By MUFreebird at 4:52 PM ON 04/30/07
Your article is incorrect. If you read the original article on "Metropolis Mag" you will see that it refers to "Jersey barriers" - not the placement of these new electricity generating barriers in the State of New Jersey. The tagline in your article implies that the State of New Jersey will be putting these up soon.
Try again.
By murcielago05 at 7:15 PM ON 04/30/07
...the environment is fine...it doesn't need to be "saved".
and this wind thing is just dumb.
By trsim at 7:29 PM ON 04/30/07
Just think what happens if electric cars become big and these get built into most medians: if you run out of fuel, just plug into the side, charge up for a bit then get going again.
By philospeak at 11:00 AM ON 05/01/07
I guess the obvious question/issue is the potential Catch 22: when there is a lot of cars for wind/power the traffic will likely be going slower due to congestion. Of course knowing the government this is DEFINITELY a candidate for the multi-million dollar "feasibility" study.
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philospeak:
I guess the obvious question/issue is the potential Catch 22: when there is a lot of cars for wind/power the traffi...More »