Susan asks…
New alternative energy idea?
I have this new alternative energy idea. I call it motion energy. Do you know how when some one walks or a car goes by it creates vibrations, or motion energy. My idea is if we can install these panels that look kind of like solar panels on or 2mm under the concrete of roads, highways, and sidewalks we could make a renewable clean energy source. It goes as the following: when someone walks the vibration is captured and concentrated through small little metal wires. The shaking wires come together to make a bit bigger shaking wire ( mind you this is taking place underground ). Then they go to a small building, the size of a telephone booth and moves the generator ( generator is relatively small ) to create electric power. Then this electric power is transmitted to the cities power station were it is then transmitted across the town. With cities like New York, where many people walk and many cars are on the streets the power created could be pretty big. You could create probably up to 30-40 percent of the electricity needed to power cities like New York. This energy source would be great in cities like L.A. too. L.A. has up to 10 very small earthquakes a day. These earthquakes are so small people can not even feel them. These small wires though could and they could basically use earthquakes as a power source. Using durable and strong yet cheap materials this power source when constructed would be relatively inexpensive. It would also create up to 10 million long lasting jobs if the world took this power source and used it. Also subways and trains create vibration. This vibration could attribute in the making of electricity. I believe if we and the industrialized nations of the world use this power source, we could generate up to 8 to 15 percent of the world power, possibly even 20 percent. That is 1/5 of the worlds power coming from motion energy. This is just an idea I think could be very possible and beneficial if we use it. This idea could always be tinkered with to perfect it though. By the way I am only 14, an I think this kind of stuff through to make my and everyone’s future brighter. Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Do you think it could work, do you think it is a good idea? Also do you have any ideas on perfecting it?
The Expert answers:
Your idea is a great one: in fact, it has already been done.
Here is one company that you could invest in. Google around and you will find plenty of other articles about this technology.
Http://powerleap.net/index.html
This is a pretty advanced idea for a 14 year old, I’m impressed. Doubly so that the idea is actually practical. So many of these “I have an idea to generate electricity” questions involve perpetual motion or other impossible ideas, it’s great that you came up with an idea that could actually work. (I’m not too sure about your “30 to 40%” estimate, though.)
Betty asks…
What kind of degree should I get to become a wind energy researcher?
I want to major in a field that will pretty much guarantee me a research and development job in wind energy. I am not interested in any other forms of alternative energy, so a general renewable energy bachelor’s won’t do. Any help?
The Expert answers:
But you will still have to include renewable energy in your searches because it is part of the whole gamut of a still wider and unfolding field … And so you will have to include in your searches solar energy and natural resources as well because, after all, the whole purpose of harnessing wind energy is to produce electricity and to support engineering involved in designing and manufacturing wind-availing technologies.
Look to those schools located in the Mid-west and west coast — where the greatest wind forces are located — Kansas, Oklahoma, for example, and California — and find what degree programs they are founding and that are underway.
Sandy asks…
What do you think of replacing oil with alternative renewable energy?
I’ve always thought that alternative energy is a smart idea. Energy sources like Wind, Tidal, Hydroelectric, Hydrogen etc. are much cheaper and cleaner than fossil fuels like Oil and Coal. Also, by switching to renewable energy, we would be able to avoid future oil spills and explosions like the gulf oil leak that we are dealing with currently. For people that are still weary of getting rid of oil, alternative energy will provide america with thousands of jobs and a boost to the economy. What is you’re opinion about this subject?
I am a conservative, but I’ve never understood why most of the Republican Party is so bound and determined to stop renewable energy in it’s tracks. It creates jobs (which everyone wants), and it helps our one and only home: Earth. I don’t understand why anyone would be against that.
The Expert answers:
Yup, dead on. And the new technologies will make a better society as a whole.
And for those that say we can’t…
Look up “tesla motors” they’re building an electric car in CA than can do 100mph.
Mark asks…
Does President Obama need to come out with a Eisenhower jobs plan, to bring back this economy?
Im talking about a Jobs plan that focuses on infrastructure. High Speed Railroads, Alternative Energy investment, and repairing our roads, highways, Levy’s/dams and skyscrapers.
I know the Conservative argument is that “Government does not create jobs” but that argument is flawed. Government giving out contracts to private companies for infrastructure has been PROVEN to create jobs and benefit the country in the long term.
The Expert answers:
At least Eisenhower had a reasonable plan for infrastructure. His highway plan was to connect economically sound reagions and for the benefit of both. It worked quite well. Obama’s plans do not consider any economic benefit. They are only to give jobs to the brothers that are doing the construction. Would you be happy to buy a new car that you neither needed nor wanted and did not have an engine just so the union automobile workers would have a job?
David asks…
Has Obama Stated How We Can Keep Our Jobs As Oil Costs Continue To Rise?
As far as I can tell the high gas prices have already created inflation, and major job lose. If we have to wait for Alternative Energy for 20 years or so whats the plan of action in the meantime that Democrats / Obama have for us?
Majority Dems / Obama are against drilling where we have oil, against coal and against new Nuclear Clean Air Plants, so whats left?
The Expert answers:
He already wants to give the jobs we have, to foreign workers
Obama hates America workers:
Barack Obama
“We can do better than that and go a long way toward meeting industry’s need for skilled workers with Americans. Until we have achieved that, I will support a temporary increase in the H-1b”
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