PowerSwitch

just going into store today and had a crazy idea.
why not fit some type of dynamo to wheels of shopping trolleys with a battery being charged up underneath trolley. At end of day power could be released to reduce power required by store

What you mean is increase the value of something that is stolen often?

OK, so why not turn the idea around. The trolleys all get wheeled into the store usually via a turnstile or some sort of gate.why no have some sort of roller type device at that point which is turned by the wheels on the trolley and thus generating current. Second, surely someone could invent some sort of floor tile that generates power based on people walking over it.

Just an idea . . .

yes, don't worry someone will invent something and save the day.

You're talking micro generation and a more cost effective electricity generation would be wind or PV which we already have.

Personally I think the jobless should be made to pedal dynamo cycles to offset their laying about and watching daytime telly. Cut down on the amount of obese couch potatoes we have in the country.

That would include me and my internet time...

The trouble with fitting a dynamo to anything is that in order to conserve energy, there is a resistance tothat driving force- known as Lenz's law (a current generated will always be in the direction that acts to oppose the motion or change causing it). Basically, supposing one has a dynamo in the wheels of a trolley- this will make it harder to push the trolley in the first place, as the energy you get out has to come from somewhere. And when one has a heavy load of shoppping, this is the last thing one needs.

What useful energy can actually be obtained from it is also doubtful.

Haggis wrote:yes, don't worry someone will invent something and save the day.

You're talking micro generation and a more cost effective electricity generation would be wind or PV which we already have.

Personally I think the jobless should be made to pedal dynamo cycles to offset their laying about and watching daytime telly. Cut down on the amount of obese couch potatoes we have in the country.

Im with Haggis here.