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Japanese commuter hordes harnessed as human electrical power plant
When it comes to new ways of generating energy, it doesn't get any greener than the contraption recently installed in Tokyo's Shibuya train station. Developed by Japan's Sound Power, the FB-0001 platform generates electric power when the hundreds of thousands of station visitors step on its surface.
With the massive crowds that fill Shibuya daily, this brief experiment scheduled to last until Christmas may actually generate so much power that it wouldn't be surprising to see the rail company consider making the platforms permanent. If you think you know an energy efficient location to place the platforms you can rent your own starting at 50,000 yen ($550) here.
Via ASCII
By still badass at 10:01 AM ON 12/15/08
This is a great idea! It should be installed in the sidewalks of downtowns and high foot traffic areas everywhere and in stadiums and the parking lots, which by the way could they not make something like this for vehicle traffic ????
By ribex at 3:46 PM ON 12/15/08
Build the NYC sidewalks out of this stuff and maybe they can generate enough energy to power the whole city or state! (Okay, I don't know exactly how much power is generated, but you get the idea.)
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ribex:
Build the NYC sidewalks out of this stuff and maybe they can generate enough energy to power the whole city or stat...More »