Piezoelectric technology

[Progress.City]

Piezoelectric technology is a new technology that can generate electricity simply by walking on it. Disney parks are big enough so that the placement of piezoelectric generators throughout the concrete walkways of the parks will be enough to generate enough electricity to keep all the lights on and help power the rides and air conditioning. This is the ultimate "green" power source for theme parks!

Disney should be the first to use it and install it first into EPCOT and then the rest of the parks later on.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Piezoelectric technology is a new technology that can generate electricity simply by walking on it. Disney parks are big enough so that the placement of piezoelectric generators throughout the concrete walkways of the parks will be enough to generate enough electricity to keep all the lights on and help power the rides and air conditioning. This is the ultimate "green" power source for theme parks!

Disney should be the first to use it and install it first into EPCOT and then the rest of the parks later on.

Sure, but wouldn't all those "Monorail Footers" interfere with the the flow of electricity? Just sayin!

 

[Progress.City]

Seriously, this needs to be looked into. There is a company called Innowattech (based in Israel) that is manufacturing low cost generators that can be buried under concrete.

There are three types: one for foot traffic, another for roadway traffic, and railroad traffic. They've installed these under the roads in Israel to power the street lights and the excess electricity is fed into the electrical grid. Another installation on the floor of a night club powers the disco lights. They are also installing these throughout the country on the railbed of its national railway system to power electric and mechanical systems related to the railroad with excess energy uploaded to the grid.

 

[George]

Piezoelectric technology is a new technology that can generate electricity simply by walking on it. Disney parks are big enough so that the placement of piezoelectric generators throughout the concrete walkways of the parks will be enough to generate enough electricity to keep all the lights on and help power the rides and air conditioning. This is the ultimate "green" power source for theme parks!

Disney should be the first to use it and install it first into EPCOT and then the rest of the parks later on.

The piezoelectric effect has been around/known about since the 19th century. I think in Japan they were taking advantage of this to convert some of the energy in footstrikes (in a subway platform) to generate power and it can run some LED signs and ticket gates. I don't think it is efficient enough to do what you're talking about, but I'm certainly no expert in this. Do you have an interesting article you could link to?

 

[copcarguyp71]

I guess it all comes down to a timetable of ROI...I agree that in essence it is a stellar idea but the bean counters will want to know ROI, maintenance costs, and implementation logistics. The EPCOT of yesterday would embrace it...the carcass that remains today will only embrace it if there is huge ROI and if they can find a way to brand it or overlay it.

 

[Wikkler]

Spoiler: no

Spoiler: no

Spoiler: nope

Spoiler: nah

Spoiler: uh-uh

Spoiler: you were not the first to pass this way

Spoiler: but you shall be the last

@PhotoDave219

 

[Progress.City]

The piezoelectric effect has been around/known about since the 19th century. I think in Japan they were taking advantage of this to convert some of the energy in footstrikes (in a subway platform) to generate power and it can run some LED signs and ticket gates. I don't think it is efficient enough to do what you're talking about, but I'm certainly no expert in this. Do you have an interesting article you could link to?

Yes, that is what inspired me to post. I'll have to find it again and I will post the link later today.

 

[Progress.City]

Spoiler: no

Spoiler: no

Spoiler: nope

Spoiler: nah

Spoiler: uh-uh

Spoiler: you were not the first to pass this way

Spoiler: but you shall be the last

@PhotoDave219

That was real deep. Must have been bored to find the time to go so many layers... It's all good, though! Made me laugh...

 

[Progress.City]

Here's a video I found about the company:



It talks about its application on highways and railways, but the technology itself can also by used on walkways.

Using it on World Drive as well could make WDW's self-owned electric company less dependent on TECO. Imagine that, WDW has the infrastructure already in place because it already owns its own electric infrastructure, grid, and generators (with a TECO interconnection). Add other renewables to the system as well for total independence. If they were to also generate its own renewable energy, it can self-distribute it and become totally energy independent. These would be invaluable green bragging rights!

 

[copcarguyp71]

There is also this very interesting up and coming roadway material using solar


If they were to do the Piezo version I would say that a pilot program at the entrance of Epcot would be the most efficient way to proceed.

 

[Progress.City]

There is also this very interesting up and coming roadway material using solar


If they were to do the Piezo version I would say that a pilot program at the entrance of Epcot would be the most efficient way to proceed.

That's cool! Let's blue sky this while we can...

So we have solar roads from an American company and what I mentioned from an Israeli company. If we can get other innovative technologies from other companies from other countries such as Japan and from within the EU that have innovations to add to this, it will also add to the whole EPCOT spirit of internationalism!

 

[copcarguyp71]

I am sure they could throw "sponsor a cell" out there and you could get a laser engraved voltaic panel to try and offset the costs...ala "the graveyard". Wide eyed pixiedustaholics would fork over money on these without a thought.

 

[MA Screamin']

There is also this very interesting up and coming roadway material using solar

I remember seeing this last spring, so happy to see it got the funding it deserved.

In terms of actually implementing the tech in the parks, Epcot of course works the best, but maybe in front of an actual attraction. I could see them putting some around Soarin' once it gets the update. With the traffic around the ride, if Disney works some pixie dust and can pleasantly go about fundraising, I could see people loving to invest.

As to how they would blend in to areas, say DAK or even Main Street, is a challenge.

 

[Voxel]

I remember seeing this last spring, so happy to see it got the funding it deserved.

In terms of actually implementing the tech in the parks, Epcot of course works the best, but maybe in front of an actual attraction. I could see them putting some around Soarin' once it gets the update. With the traffic around the ride, if Disney works some pixie dust and can pleasantly go about fundraising, I could see people loving to invest.

As to how they would blend in to areas, say DAK or even Main Street, is a challenge.

Also think about the amount of redevelopment to implement something like this.