Testing green energy in Israel

With two local plants tied to the generation of electricity by wind power, an article in the Greater Des Moines Jewish Press about an experiment in Israel caught my attention.

According to the Jewish Press, a new green energy system was recently tested in Israel. The pilot project uses piezoelectric materials to convert the mechanical energy exerted by trucks and automobiles driving along a highway to convert that energy to electricity. According to the newspaper article, this is done without stealing any energy whatsoever from the vehicles. The process does not increase the vehicles’ fuel intake or affecta the road infrastructure.

Israel expects to apply this technology to many roadside applications. For example, the supply of electricity might be used for traffic lights, billboards, police speed cameras, road signs as well as households.

The article also tells us that Innowattech is experimenting with harvesting energy from the movement of trains, airplanes and pedestrians.

Obviously, this is all in the experimental stage, but if I were the United States ambassador to Israel, or the president of General Electric, I’d sure be following the Israel experiments. Imagine going for a walk before breakfast and creating the energy needed for your breakfast toast.