The Power of Athletes

Athletic power 
(brief output)
 
 

steady output
 
 

1 kWh in 10 hours
 

1 kWh from a utility

A well conditioned athlete can produce much more than a horsepower --- during a short time interval. 

The same athlete, asked to produce a steady output of power over a period of a day (10 hours, say) will produce perhaps 100 watts of useful power, if connected to a machine the most efficient way, via bicycle pedals.

The athlete thus produces one kilowatt-hour of useful work in 10 hours.  How much would you pay him (her)?

To obtain one kWh of energy from a utility costs a bit less --- about a dime.

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