5 Energy Projects Almost Too Ridiculous To Be True

When discussing issues that are of great importance to the world, the term ridiculous would be a near-perfect term to use in describing anything that, at best, looks to belong in the realm of sci-fi. These days, energy is one of the biggest concerns of the world, and companies have embarked on some really ridiculous-looking energy projects. Here are five of such projects.

1.       Energy Duck

Designed by a British team that includes Hareth Pochee, Adam Khan, Louis Leger, and Patrick Fryer, the Energy Duck promises to provide Copenhagen with solar and hydropower. The Duck would be a tourist attraction that would gather solar energy in Copenhagen Harbor        in an effort to help the city’s ambition of becoming carbon-neutral by 2025.

Two things sound particularly ridiculous about this project. As explained by designboom, the yield of the generator would be 75% of a fully optimized solar farm on the same site. The second part is the part where it says the Duck is designed to serve as much as an entire town.   

2.       Thermoelectric energy harvesters

These are also called thermoelectric generators. Essentially, they convert temperature differences into electrical energy using the Seebeck effect. While the thermoelectric phenomena have been utilized in heating and cooling applications, its application in electricity generation is negligible at the moment.

However, a recent research by IDTechEx says that the market for these devices could reach almost a billion dollar by 2024. One of the most bizarre parts of the thermoelectric energy-harvesting project is generating electricity from the human body.

Scientists have previously said that a resting male can provide anything from 100 to 120 watts of energy, which is theoretically sufficient to power many gadgets. However, this has remained in the realms of sci-fi. Seiko’s Thermic Watch, which debuted in 1998, was only able generate one microwatt.

However, a team of researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a “flexible thermoelectric generator” in form of a wristband.

 The main breakthrough with this particular wearable is that it is capable of generating about 40 milliwatt of energy without making the wearer feel the burden of carrying a load. And with companies like ABB ABB and General Electric GE already involved– with wireless sensors in particular – this industry could well grow as much as forecasted.

3.       Vibration-to-electric energy conversion

To think that you can generate electricity by simply matching (dancing, walking, et al) around is quite ridiculous. But it is possible. Discovery News reported that Club Watt in Rotterdam, Netherlands already has this technology in place, using floor vibrations from people walking and dancing to power its light show.

Mitsubishi MSBHY is a publicly traded company that is already involved in electricity generation from vibration. The company’s research is based on using spring to amplify vibrations, which could help maximize the potential of vibration-generated electricity.

4.       Solar highway

The idea of replacing asphalt roads with glass-covered roads that has solar panels underneath also sounds too ridiculous to be true. However, it is becoming real. Solar Roadways, based out of Sagle, Idaho, is the company behind this initiative. The company has raised over $2 million so far. The federal government has also supported this project by giving the company $750,000 in 2011. It’s a difficult call, but smart highways could be the future.

5.       Cheap researchable batteries

Well, it doesn’t look ridiculous in the sense of belonging in the realm of Sci-Fi. However, that it promises to solve a major energy problem makes it belong here. Make a list of the top five problems faced by the renewable energy industry, and you’re likely to have large-scale energy storage in there. Companies like Elon Musk’s Solar City SCTY have invested a lot in this.

However, a recent breakthrough by scientists at USC promises to solve this problem completely. These scientists have developed a water-based, organic battery – which uses no metal or toxic material – that is intended for use in power plants.  

One of the researchers said the battery lasts for about 5,000 recharge cycles – an equivalence of 15-year lifespan – compared with the 1000 cycles for lithium ion batteries, which cost ten times more to manufacture.