Turbine generates energy from L.A. Metro subway airflow
It is projected that the 10-foot airflow equipment could generate more than 28,000 kWh per year – enough to power about 12 homes in California for one year, or turn out approximately $6,000 per year in electrical production.
Mass airflow collection equipment photo courtesy Metro
Evan Rosenberg/Metro
LOS ANGELES — From August through September 2013, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) conducted a one-month pilot program to see if wind energy could safely and effectively be captured and used, The Source reported.
The project involved installing a 10-foot multi-blade mass airflow collection equipment (MACE) in the Red Line subway tunnel. Each time a train left the station, the MACE fan blades would start spinning, thus capturing energy up to a minute before the train actually passed by.
During the run of the pilot program, the MACE generated an average of 77.7 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day. It is projected that the 10-foot MACE section could generate more than 28,000 kWh per year–enough to power about 12 homes in California for one year, or turn out approximately $6,000 per year in electrical production, according to The Source report. For the full story, click here.
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