Far out power 1: human fat, playgrounds, solar wind towers, perpetual motion, thermal depolymerization
Preface. Plans for power to gas, hydrogen, wind, solar, wave and all other alternative energies are equally silly as the ideas below, because they depend on fossil fuels for every single step in their life cycle, yet these schemes with negative energy return make it into respectable scientific journals, unlike the proposals below.
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Liposuction fat
Mr. Buthune thinks the use of human fat as an energy source has some potential. “There’s an interesting business model: link a biodiesel plant with the cosmetic surgeons,” says Mr. Bethune. “In Auckland we produce about 330 pounds of fat per week from liposuction, which would make about 40 gallons of fuel. If it is going to be chucked out, why not?” (Schouten 2005)
At an Exxon conference, the Yes Men pulled a prank of giving a presentation of making a new fuel, Vivoleum, out of humans killed by climate change. Hundreds of candles made of human hair that smelled like dead people were handed out (Yes Men 2015).
Auckland, New Zealand, adventurer Peter Bethune plans to break the round-the-world powerboat speed record in a boat powered by biodiesel fuel partly manufactured from human fat. The lean Mr. Bethune had about three ounces of fat extracted from his body yesterday in a lipsuction procedure, and he is seeking volunteers to donate more (Schouten 2005).
Playground power
The only place I could find this actually existing is in Ghana, Africa, where Empower Playgrounds provides merry-go-rounds to schools that generate and store electricity as they are spun around (Brownlee 2013).
Perpetual motion
Violates all the laws of physics and thermodynamics, even the patent office got wise and won’t accept any applications (Wikipedia, Park 2000).
Thermal depolymerization
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
