is where it's at!

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/02/07/raindrops-energy.html

This is early research. Interesting though. Piezoelectric materials can be used to derive energy from falling rain.

Sounds perfect for the Northwest.

My wife has been talking about this very thing for a few years now. Harnessing energy that we get absolutely free.

Think of all the things that happen or you do personally that creates energy. Walking, riding a bike, taking a shower, evening typing on a keyboard has the potential of creating energy.

Thanks Missing. This will make our morning show on Tuesday morning.

Sweet!

IMHO, these kinds of stories are just as good as the warm fuzzy things!

And your wife is quite right too. There is lots of energy to be tapped. We just lack both efficient tech to leverage it, and the core tech necessary to aggregate and transport it.

A better world, and now, better radio through the sharing of wild ideas that could save the future. I dig it! :0)

I think that there should be giant roller drum thingies (turbines?) placed in highway surfaces that spin when you drive over them, producing electricity.

They'd have to be made/installed so that you can't feel them and that they don't slow you down or damage tires.

...or maybe put turbines at the GYM.

Even better! Those with bike trainer rollers and spin bikes could probably power the whole house.

Now if we all just had a pedal-power TV...with free HBO/Sundance Channel kicking in at a certain level.

I think a pedal-powered TV is both possible and one hell of an idea!

Instead of rollers in the ground, put these above the freeways.
http://www.archinect.com/images/uploads/turbine_freeway_structure_2.jpg
The wind could power them in some areas and others with limited wind the traffic would actually generate the wind to drive them.

There are lots of pedel powered generators,

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/pedal-powered-electricity-generator-wind stream/

And now this!!!

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/02/07/tech-knee-energy.html?ref=rss

Chris, those doggone Canucks never miss a trick. I love this wonderful lonesome solution based thread that has stayed buoyant in a sea of angry rhetoric.

Here is a similar discussion happening right now in another part of the world. Seems like lots of folks are exploring the possibilities.

I saw that one!

Betcha it could be easily used to power a wearable blue-tooth phone. On the grid at all times!

How about this one!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330615,00.html

I'm loving this thread. We can add this to the mix.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7241909.stm

Since the title of this thread is "Pffft....."

I submit this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofn8-3SWd8M

Harness it for energy? ....Maybe, maybe not!

Like Father, Like Son:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E47aITt6c2E

Skybill- I was in tears pounding my hand on my desk with laughter. The wife yells from upstairs, "What's going on!!?" I just emailed it to her.

That video is awesome! Thanks!