Why is this not a viable idea for an energy/job boost?

Question

Admittedly, I'm really just some 24 year old who's curious about this stuff--but this question's been on my mind for so long that I'd just like to get it answered already, heh.

The question is: Why is it not a viable solution to *help* solve the energy/job crisis by creating jobs that use our bodies to *produce* energy?

Here's an example. Consider you have a sort of stationary bike (as visible here: http://www.target.com/Stationary-Bikes-Exercise-Fitness-Sports/b?ie=UTF8&node=12994571 ), except one that is wired to, say, power a light bulb as you 'ride' it. I'm nearly certain this is possible, yes? Ok--given that it might be, why not just have tons of *augmented* machines of a similar [likely stationary] design which requires people to use their own body power to generate energy, to a very effecient degree? I would imagine that the many, many people doing so at once could help power generators maintain their energy levels, perhaps. These people could then be paid at least minimum wage, and benefit all society at the same time with their new jobs!

So again, the question is (since this is too far obvious a solution to the energy/job crisis, that I know many have thought of it before and discarded it), why is this sort of idea NOT viable? Why have we not seen something like this yet? Is it because it's not physically possible to generate enough energy efficiently by human powered machines, or is it our technology, or what?

PS--Of course, there is always the (perhaps far more silly) question of--would sending metal spikes into our bodies (to steal from their ample electricity) not be able to accomplish the same thing, a la Matrix?

Answer 1

It is not viable because humans have nowhere near high enough muscle power output to earn a decent salary at typical energy prices working as labor for such a power plant.



A typical human power output sustainable is 150 Watts. Some people can produce much more, but the question is how long can that really be sustained? In my experience as a competitive rower and measuring it via the ergometer, I could peak at 200 Watts on short 7 minute pieces, but on half hour pieces the power output I could sustain was much less and closer to 150 Watts.



If you are thinking anywhere near 1 horsepower is our output power for exercise, that is incorrect. 1 hp (about 750 Watts) is MUCH closer to our INPUT power of how much food energy per second we need to burn while exercising. The remainder energy is mostly heat given off by us sweating.



Working to generate 150 Watts all day for forty hours a week (you cannot reasonably employ any longer of work hours) will generate 6 kilowatt-hours of energy a week. At 52 weeks per year and an expensive going rate of electricity of 15 ¢/kW-hr, this amounts to an annual gross earning (assuming it all goes to the laborer) of $46.80.



No slave in their right mind will be employed for only $50 per year.



The price of electricity would need to increase by a factor of 1000 if we are to pay the laborer a decent salary AND cover all overhead costs.



Do you really want to pay 1000 times as much for electricity? Fossil fuels and nuclear are sounding cheap....aren't they.

Answer 2

Everyone has good points. But here is my MAJOR input to this.



ALL energy MUST come from some other energy. That is a big time law in physics. Energy is neither created nor destroyed.



So the energy coming out of the people needs to go into the people. It enters as food. But food takes alot of energy to make. So it's not very efficient.

Answer 3

Humans can only generate about 1/10 of a horsepower. That would be roughly about 1/15th of a kilowatt. It would take at least 15,000 workers to produce 1 megawatt. I'm not sure how big an area that would serve.

Answer 4

Getting energy by making people work is about the most expensive and environmentally unfriendly way there is of doing so.



All the energy is being generated from food, which is an extremely expensive kind of fuel in every way.

Answer 5

One horsepower is 746 Watts which is less than a kilowatt. I pay about $0.10 for a kilowatt-hour. If you work harder than a horse for an hour reliably in a free market, you would get 10 cents (less really because some amount has to pay for equipment maintenance.)



Let's try solar or nuclear.

Answer 6

I love your idea and i actully designed and built a generator powered by human mechanical force. i generate good huice, but i need a rectifier to be able to keep a clean source of juice.