utilize the energy

[mike0313]

Is there a equipment that can transfer or store the energy that generated from rowing the machine?

[luckylindy]

In a C2 rower, most of your energy expenditure is converted into moving air and body heat. The only viable way to capture significant energy would be to replace the fan with a generator. This would greatly compromise the rowing dynamics of the erg, and still not generate a whole lot of power.

For example, let's say you were a world class rower and could keep up a 1:45 minute/500 pace for an hour, 6 days per week. This is ~300W of power. A decent generator would capture ~250W of this. So over the course of a year, you'd capture 75kw, or about $6 worth of electricity (vs. a few hundred $ for a generator assembly that would connect to your house and the erg).

[jamesg]

The work you do is stored in the air around you as heat; so in winter you drop your heating bills, but have to buy more grub. In summer not only do you have to eat more but you also get a higher AC bill, unless you go outdoors. So erging as you can see, energy wise is a disaster. I've heard it can get you fit tho', if that's any comfort.

Even if you spin an alternator rather than a fan, the overall situation is the same, but the machinery will be a lot more expensive.

[c2jonw]

All the right answers here, but I will add that you are generating electricity when you operate a Model D, Model E or SkiErg. In these three models a 12 pole magnet is attached to the flywheel in close proximity to a stationary coil, producing enough power to: operate a PM3 or: operate a PM4 and charge the rechargeable battery pack in the PM4. C2JonW

[luckylindy]

All the right answers here, but I will add that you are generating electricity when you operate a Model D, Model E or SkiErg. In these three models a 12 pole magnet is attached to the flywheel in close proximity to a stationary coil, producing enough power to: operate a PM3 or: operate a PM4 and charge the rechargeable battery pack in the PM4. C2JonW

Haha, true ... but the PM3/4 only consume ~0.2 Watts (based on the 300 hour battery life estimate on standard D cells). That means that 99.9% of energy expenditure is still going to moving around the air.