Harvesting Human Energy
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2020-08
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Abstract
Nowadays, different technologies are being developed to harvest energy from human movement. Different companies and researchers are looking to store, produce, and increase conversion rates to generate and supply power to the utility sector reliably and cleanly. This paper evaluates the economic benefit, energy impact, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of harvesting human energy. The paper presents three economic analyses to determine if it is feasible to invest in green machines (i.e. bikes, treadmills), showing the pros, cons, and quantitative economic returns. Moreover, it assesses the energy supply from humans and the impact this has on the electricity sector. Results are built with information from two different institutions (Peloton Cycling and the University of Calgary Fitness Centre). In the end, even though the economic benefit is not attractive at this time, harvesting human energy holds great potential for the future when the cost of the technology decreases
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Estrada, G. (2020). Harvesting Human Energy (Unpublished master's project). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.