Potential new form of energy capture

[user 688]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/news/a30344/audi-erot-suspension/

 

[wtzouris]

I saw this about 10 years ago, translating vibration (or even engine heat) into electricity, it's just a question of how much this technology costs as an add-on to the car, how efficient and how much energy can be harnessed, how reliable the accessory is, and how much weight it adds. Same with auto rooftop solar panels, or solar glass windows. I know aerodynamics are important, but has anyone ever tried to generate electricity from the wind produced by the air traveling past the car at speed?. Some sort of air intake going into a very lightweight propeller fan? Downhill and braking regeneration seems to be the most efficient at the moment because you need to brake anyway and I think it just runs the inverter in reverse -- no extra parts other than software control.

 

[user 688]

Bill:

Wind capture would seem to imply a wind resistance penalty, whereas this seem free. Plus, unlike rooftop PV and wind, there is intuitively a LOT of kinetic energy to be harvested from four wheels that are constantly being mechanically damped with every bump, brake, and corner. This seems like it has a lot of potential.