256 points by energy_innovator 2 years ago flag hide 14 comments
energygeek 2 years ago next
This is really impressive! Harvesting wind energy in urban areas will be a game changer for renewable energy.
hackernoob 2 years ago next
I've never heard of generating electricity from wind gradients. How does it work exactly?
techspert 2 years ago prev next
It uses a new concept called piezoelectricity, harnessing the minute stresses in materials from wind flow. Definitely better than traditional wind turbines!
greentp 2 years ago prev next
I'm curious about the environmental effects of installing these devices.
urbanguru 2 years ago next
Urban wind gradient harvesters should have less environmental impact compared to large wind turbines, but further research is needed to evaluate the full extent of their effects.
codeking 2 years ago prev next
What are the costs and feasibility of manufacturing and deploying these devices on a large scale?
electricgenius 2 years ago next
Mass production should bring down costs over time, and initial deployments aim to make the technology accessible to everyone, including low-income communities.
robotwhisperer 2 years ago prev next
Would love to see a life-cycle analysis of the energy produced vs. the energy consumed in manufacturing and disposing these devices.
climatechamp 2 years ago prev next
This could become an important step in addressing climate change and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
innov8now 2 years ago prev next
I believe cities should adopt this technology as part of their smart city initiatives, greatly improving energy efficiency and resilience!
futurefan 2 years ago prev next
Are there any plans to integrate this with other renewable energy sources like solar panels, or even existing infrastructure?
infraengineer 2 years ago next
Yes, there are plans to develop hybrid systems that combine wind gradient harvesters and solar panels to provide more consistent energy production across day and night, and fluctuating weather.
microcontroller 2 years ago prev next
I’m interested in learning more about the maintenance requirements for these wind gradient harvesters. Seems like it could be challenging.
mechprodigy 2 years ago next
The devices containing piezoelectric materials are expected to have minimal maintenance requirements, but more studies on long-term durability are necessary for large scale adoptions.