Have you ever described someone as a bundle of energy? Generally it’s a reference to either a hyperactive child or an industrious community member.
Actually we are all bundles of energy. There is power within us, quite literally, and science has proven it. Every brisk step we take can generate about 70 watts of power via a foot striking the ground, according to a recent New York Times article. Scientists envision a time when you can power your own cell phone by walking briskly or jumping up and down.
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Experiments are underway in the capture of this kinetic energy. Tokyo has been testing special energy-capturing floor tiles in its subway stations for at least a year, and a company called Pavegen has installed squares of energy-generating pavement in high foot traffic areas of London.
There are many other research projects exploring kinetic energy capture but none came to light in our research pertaining to an important agricultural area of opportunity.
Sure, the people-power stuff is fascinating, but we can’t help but ponder the huge power-producing potential of livestock.
Commercial livestock production is said to be responsible for about 18 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas production. If these animals were generating “green” electricity just by walking around, they could minimize their own environmental impact. They might even be able to contribute to the electrical grid.
OK, it’s a wild idea, but think of all the cattle, for example, that are walking around feedlots, going from feeder to water trough and back, all day, every day. That’s a lot of steps and kinetic energy. What if it could be harnessed?
A single human step generates enough power to light two 60-watt light bulbs for one second, according to MIT research. But what might cattle generate, in a confined space, with four legs each and about four times the weight of the average human, and numbering in the millions?
Cattle and other livestock might be able to light their own pens and barns, run their own water pumps and power their owners’ homes.
While they’re doing that, they are producing environmentally friendly fertilizer and getting ready to be served up as dinner. What could be more helpful than that?
