They Recycle Energy You've Already Used

You may remember that a few years back, the “sustainable dance floor” made its debut in a handful of European nightclubs — immediately causing a sensation among party enthusiasts and greenies alike.

The concept, I have to admit, was novel.

You take a modular dance floor that can be transported in sections and custom-fit to the facility on site, and you mount it on electromechanical actuators that turn the kinetic energy of moving bodies into usable, storable energy the “ecoclub” can use to power its lighting and sound systems.

The idea of recycling calories into usable energy is appealing on several levels — not the least significant of which is the ability of this system to create a tangible link between human motion and power generation.

This tangible link has been helpful in promoting this technology, as its users have taken to setting up contests — like Global Dance Challenge — to measure who can generate the most energy in a certain period of time.

People burn calories and get healthier, and in return, electricity flows. It’s a win-win for sure.

Sustainable floor technology went a step further and became even more practical with the adaptation of “hybrid floors,” which do the same thing as the dance floor but apply the kinetic energy created by human feet to standard pedestrian walkways — like the sort you see at airport concourses.

Today, there are hybrid pedestrian walkways and hybrid dance floors in Moscow, Rotterdam, Rio, and a handful of other cities across the world.

Innovation or Toy?

But is this technology anything more than a feel-good novelty, designed to showcase potential and promote its maker but not much else?

Well, the natural skeptic in me says yes. After all, these devices only provide a moderate energy offset to their users, with the promotional value far exceeding any benefits they may receive in decreased energy bills.

But this same principle is being developed right now for a different application — a far more universal application that taps into a source of free kinetic energy many times more substantial than that which any dance floor or pedestrian walkway can generate.

Right now, there’s a development-stage company operating out of Columbia, Maryland that is drawing from the kinetic energy of moving automobiles.

It’s not unlike the hybrid systems that power mainstream hybrid cars like the popular Toyota Prius. But instead of drawing power from the braking system when the car slows down, the power is drawn from the road itself.

According to Newton’s Third Law of motion, for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction. This means when you step on the brakes at 60 mph, that deceleration you feel is applied to the road in the opposite direction.

When we’re talking about 40-ton semis and 50-ton loaded dump trucks grinding to a halt from freeway speeds, that’s a lot of energy indeed.

Normally, this energy is lost to heat and friction, which wears down your brake rotors, brake pads, and tires — but properly absorbed, this energy could be harnassed and reused.

And just as it is with hybrid dance floors and walkways, this energy is completely free of charge and completely clean.

Unlike the hybrid dance floors, however, enough potential energy can be drawn from decelerating trucks and cars that this system could power far more than just its immediate surroundings.

This technology is in its late experimental stage right now, with three versions of the dynamic roadway already in testing: one for low-speed, heavy-duty use by large industrial machines like the kind found operating on strip mines; one for low-speed use by standard road vehicles; and one for general high-speed use on regular roads and highways.

Bringing an Old Idea to Maturity

But here’s the really interesting part…

This technology isn’t even this company’s main focus. Its main focus is something else entirely — but something just as disruptive to the renewables industry.

Its flagship technology is a new generation of photovoltiac cell — and it’s so different from anything that came before it that it’s essentially a brand-new technology.

Here’s just one hint at how advanced it is: This company’s photovoltiac cells aren’t screwed or glued into place… They’re sprayed on.

Sounds pretty neat, but it’s also pretty functional as well.

Two weeks ago, Alex Koyfman, Managing Editor of the Penny Stock Millionaire financial advisory, completed a detailed write-up on this company and its two incredible technological achievements.

As a guy who’s usually not too moved by green tech, I have to say, this one has me thinking.

And that means you should be thinking about it, too.

Alex’s report is available for immediate access completely free of charge. Just click here.

To your wealth,

Brian Hicks

Brian is a founding member and President of Angel Publishing and investment director for the income and dividend newsletter The Wealth Advisory. He writes about general investment strategies for Tech Investing Daily, Wealth Daily and Energy & Capital. Known as the “original bull on America,” Brian is also the author of the 2008 book, Profit from the Peak: The End of Oil and the Greatest Investment Event of the Century. In addition to writing about the economy, investments and politics, Brian is also a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox and countless radio shows. For more on Brian, take a look at his editor’s page.