Replies to post #11908 on The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[jbog]

This is a perfect example of PR bulls--t.

There is absolutely no such thing as extracting more energy out of anything compared to the energy input. Every time energy is transformed it loses efficiency. Period.

Now there are times when there are benefits, but they come at a efficiency expense.

The only 'free' energy comes about when we waste energy on purpose. A good example would be the brakes or shock absorbers on your car. The shock absorbers absorb energy every bump you hit for your comfort. If that energy can be transformed into a hydraulic pumping system instead it could then be used to generate energy. That's free in today's world.

[OakesCS]

I don't know the specifics of their systems but I suspect jbog's analysis is correct. The only caveat I'd add is that if their design takes advantage of gravitational flow rather than working against pumps, then it might not be a perpetual motion scam. In that case the system is effectively operating like a hydroelectric generator in a dam.

Just because some cities have signed on doesn't legitimize the concept. There was, and may still be, a company called Blacklight Power that was scamming Philadelphia and others for many years in the 1990s using another 'free energy' scheme.