Inspired by the continuous flows of energy found in nature, a recent project has proved that the natural movement of trees may offer a sustainable alternative to power our cities in the future.
The concept, called anemokinetics, is based on the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy neither arises nor disappears, but only passes from one state to the other. In other words, the energy we use is continuously available in nature in various forms. The problem is converting available energy from one form to another for specific purposes.
According to the project published on Behance, anemokinetics offers an alternative way to generate electricity from the continuous cycle of energy transformation via the oscillation of tree branches.
The first phase of the study involved an analysis of tree branches’ range of movement, which showed that tree branch displacement occurs at a rate of between one and 25cm every moment.
To further convert these movements into electricity, the researchers created a prototype electric circuit and found that each branch movement cycle “generates a charge equal to 3.6 volts with a current of 0.1 amperes and a duration of 200 milliseconds.” These figures could spell a bright future for anemokinetics.
The project also proposes using the generated energy for off-grid navigation in green urbanized spaces. This means that poorly illuminated areas such as parks, gardens, and courtyards could benefit from better lighting by using anemokinetic mechanisms. Other possible applications include powering sensors for eco-monitoring of green areas.
This is a great solution for locally generated renewable energy that quite literally comes from a green source.
