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timothykinney's avatar

What is the most efficient kinetic energy conversion?

Asked by timothykinney (2078points) | asked January 28th, 2009 | 6 responses | “Great Question” (0points) | Flag as…

I am curious what the most efficiency way to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy is (known to man). This means not using heat (cogeneration) or potential energy (hydroelectric). But just turning motion into electricity (faraday effect, brakes on a Prius, etc.).

Can someone point to a source that gives a percentage conversion higher than 75%?

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Harp's avatar

It’s generally considered that the theoretical efficiency limit of any system is described by the Carnot Cycle. The most promising new technologies, which convert heat directly to electricity, have Carnot limits somewhere around 77%, though that is unlikely to be achieved in practice.

Harp (15022points)“Great Answer” (0points) Flag as…
Harp's avatar

Oops, I see I didn’t read the Q carefully enough. I did find this paper, however, that proposes using convection currents in a closed cycle as an extremely efficient generation source that sort of sidesteps the Carnot limit.

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gailcalled's avatar

So Milo on a treadmill won’t cut it?

gailcalled (22068points)“Great Answer” (2points) Flag as…
Harp's avatar

Only ‘til he figures out he’s being “useful”. Violates the feline code of honor

Harp (15022points)“Great Answer” (1points) Flag as…
Harp's avatar

New energy unit: the “Milowatt”

Harp (15022points)“Great Answer” (1points) Flag as…

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