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Why cant they just supply kinetic energy? Cars have electric generators themselves. It would be cheaper and safer, just basic cable-car technology. The end-prod
by timonoko 9y ago
Why cant they just supply kinetic energy? Cars have electric generators themselves. It would be cheaper and safer, just basic cable-car technology. The end-product is kinetic energy, anyway, so basically lossless.
We could have cable-slots at every uphill, and if there is too much traffic, all energy goes just to moving cars. But they have now acquired kinetic energy and can harness it at next downhill section with breaking generators.
- dx034 9y agoI guess this would be very costly and have too many risks of damaged cars and/or injuries by a broken cable.
- timonoko 9y agoSanFrancisco-style cable-car has a cable in a slot. It is 200 year old technology, safe to pedestrians and horses. It could be made even safer with magnetic coupling. The cable has strong permanent magnets and you can attach to these or use alternating magnetic field to generate energy.
- dx034 9y agoYes but they were all built for that system specifically. And they are significantly slower than cars on a motorway. I don't think cars going 70mph and frequently linking in & out of the cable would be safe.