Holland Puts a New Spin on Old Technology to Combat Climate Change

http://ecoworldly.com/2008/12/04/holland-puts-a-new-spin-on-old-technology-to-combat-climate-change/

by chaostheory • 18 years ago

9 6 18 years ago

ecoworldly.com

pgroverman• 18 years ago

What is preventing this technology from becoming mainstream?

Retric2• 18 years ago

Physics:

dmd said on December 4th, 2008 at 3:47 pm

Ok, check my math here:

The owners estimate that the door will generate approximately 4600 KWH per year.

Let’s say they’re open 14 hours a day (say, 7am-9pm) for 360 days a year. That’s about 5000 hours.

Now, divide 4600 kilowatt hours per year by 5000 hours - that gives 920 watts.

920 watts - or 1.2 horsepower - from opening to closing, all year. I know Dutch people are (a) generally healthy and (b) like cafes, but somehow I doubt those figures.

kqr2• 18 years ago

I did a quick check on powered automatic revolving doors. The one in the example brochure is probably bigger than the Dutch one but it requires 230V @ 10Amps or 2300 Watts. So, 920 watts to turn a smaller revolving door doesn't seem too outrageous.

http://www.dorma-usa.com/prod/entrance_systems/crane_revolvi...(code)/product_overview/(parent)/29532

Also, it appears that they have hooked a power gauge to the door so patrons can measure the amount of power they generate. So, their power estimates do have some basis.

http://www.expatica.com/nl/articles/news/Revolving-cafe-door...

jumper• 18 years ago

I doesn't matter how much power it generates, what matters is how economically it does so. Add in wear and tear costs in the form of maintenance salaries and new parts, and pretty much anything like this becomes worse than useless very quickly, and that's ignoring the initial costs to manufacture\install and the extra effort people expend to open it! And, eh, you know, I'll let everybody else tear apart their insane power production claims, but, "Each time you pass through the door you generate enough power to make a cup of coffee." Yeah, and I've got a bridge to sell you. ;)

flashgordon• 18 years ago

well you are right.. but wear-and-tear is there whether you are harnessing the power or not. it is a sunk cost... it is essentially a matter trapping a bit of that energy...

ok wear-and-tear of the motor is a different issue - perhaps an opportunity for innovation to increase efficiency and decrease W and T?

Holland Puts a New Spin on Old Technology to Combat Climate Change

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