Delivery lorries are to be used to generate power for a supermarket chain.
Pressure from vehicles passing over metal plates outside a Sainsbury's depot in Northampton will trigger pumps in an electricity generator.
The supermarket said it hoped to be the first company in Europe to use the system, trialled in the US, in September.
The company said the system should provide enough power for 10,000 light bulbs per year during the trial.
A Sainsbury's spokesman said 2% of the depot's energy needs would be met by the system, based on the number of lorries expected to drive over the road plates.
Roger Burnley, supply chain director for Sainsbury's, said: "This is one of several sustainable measures being implemented at our Northampton depot, which leads the way in reducing energy emissions and waste."
2 comments:
Unfortunately this won't actually bring an environmental benefit as any electricity they get get out has ultimately come from the power of the trucks' engines. Sorry guys, but "conservation of energy" i.e. "energy cannot be created or destroyed" (physics) tells you that you can't get something for nothing. They won't *notice* the difference on their fuel bills as the energy to run 10000 light bulbs for a year is pitifully small compared to the energy to propel hundreds of 40-tonne trucks around the country every day.
I know this, you know this ... but the supermarkets have to start somewhere ... I'd suggest removing packaging ... when I go in and buy a pie, not only do I get a large cardboard box, but a silver tray (which is no use when microwaving ... why not just wrap it up in yesterdays unread Daily Mirror ?
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