Generating electricity from the flow of cars

Mexican entrepreneurs have developed a system capable of using vehicular flow to generate electric energy. This development has the potentiality to produce sufficient electricity to power up a household through a device that ‘catches’ the force of the moving cars.

Héctor Ricardo Macías Hernández, the developer of the technology, said it “provides sustainable energy and could be implemented at low prices, since it’s a complement of already existing infrastructure: the concrete of streets and avenues”.

The technology consists of a system that integrates a ramp-step (elaborated with polymeric materials similar to the ones used in the manufacture of tyres) that elevates to 5 cm above the level of the street. When receiving the impact of the vehicle, this ramp exerts pressure over a bellows.

This artefact contains air that is expelled at a certain pressure through a hose; later, this element travels to a tank where it is compressed and relaunched to an electricity-generating turbine. Macías Hernández said the accumulation of electric energy is proportional to the flow of cars over a determinate spot; however, in places with low vehicular flow, several ramp-steps could be placed to multiply the impact of every individual vehicle.

The developer added that the technology could also be implemented in places with high pedestrian flow. This way, the steps of the people would generate electricity according to the laws of gravitational energy, and this principle could be implemented in places like underground train stations.

Macías Hernández said the support of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) was essential to achieve the technological development, given that the institution elaborated a previous study regarding the viability of the project and gave advice to structure the necessary patents of the invention. He mentioned that there are no records of similar projects, save for an English patent, but noted that in England piezoelectric floors are used, which are too expensive for developing countries.