Can congestion create kilowatts? Good vibrations from California

California Assemblyman Mike Gatto recently introduced a bill that would require the California Energy Commission to explore the possibility of generating electricity from the rumble of traffic on highways in the state. Piezoelectric technology, which converts vibrations into energy, is currently being used in a Japanese railway station to power displays. Its potential to generate energy from highway traffic is being tested by the Israeli tech firm, Innowattech. More information is available on the LA Times website.