Here is an interesting idea suggested by Mr. Suresh Kumar from Chandigarh, India. If you have ever been near the Air-Conditioner plant exhaust unit, you'd have noticed how much air is continuously released from there.
This A/c exhaust runs over the entire duration that a centralized Air-Conditioner plant is in operation. Most offices use centralized air-conditioners these days and they run the A/c units from morning till night. So, we get at least 12 hours of continuous operation and more importantly 12 hours of continuous wind outlet.
Why not use this wind to generate energy?
Since wind turbines are available in various capacities, the smaller ones might be employed for this purpose. He estimates that 12 - 15% of the energy consumption of the building can be produced by placing wind turbines in the path of A/c exhaust air.
Right now, all that exhaust air (and the potential and kinetic energy within it) is just wasted.
I don't think it's a bad idea. At least it is worth a shot - the cost analysis and the amount of energy produced in an actual working prototype might be helpful to determine its feasibility.
If someone wants to get more info about this idea and details about his test set-up/project report, you can contact Mr. Suresh Kumar - sureshkito[at]yahoo[dot]com.
We need environmentally conscious people like Mr. Suresh Kumar to think and come up with unconventional/innovative ideas like these, in order to develop the clean energy sector in India.
Do you have an idea in you? Put your thinking cap on. Our energy requirements are only going to increase in the future. One excellent idea like this might make a huge difference to our nation and the world.
Edited to add (input from Mr. Suresh): "I would like to make clear that the energy produced will be equal to 26% -35% of the total energy consumed by the exhaust fans and we can regenerate more energy may be 40% of energy consumed by putting more turbines at some angles and using diffuser so as to maximise efficiency."
Edited to add (input from Mr. Suresh): "I would like to make clear that the energy produced will be equal to 26% -35% of the total energy consumed by the exhaust fans and we can regenerate more energy may be 40% of energy consumed by putting more turbines at some angles and using diffuser so as to maximise efficiency."
