# Generating "free" energy from vehicle traffic. I am skeptical. (Physics related.)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generating-free-energy-from-vehicle-traffic-i-am-skeptical-physics-related/932040>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 2, 2021, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generating-free-energy-from-vehicle-traffic-i-am-skeptical-physics-related/932040 "2021-02-02T10:02:19Z")\
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**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generating-free-energy-from-vehicle-traffic-i-am-skeptical-physics-related/932040/10 "2021-02-03T00:44:54Z")

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Seems like once you’ve spent the energy & materials to build this wind generator, it would be more effective to place it somewhere where there is a pretty steady flow of wind. A roadside location is only effective when there is traffic, including large trucks, and the traffic is moving at speed (not during rush-hour gridlock). Should be a lot of places where wind is more consistent than that – even just mounted on the roof of a 2-story house.

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