[topher]

Then the 17 HP Diesel that generates 6KW is only about 47% efficient. A 17 HP Diesel generates 12.7 KW... Mechanical and Electrical Watts are about the same from what I have read -- though conversion is a different story...

Maybe Al Gore III had all that vicodin to get his Prius up to 100 mph (when he was recently arrested in Los Angeles -- pedaling his Prius per Fred Flintstone...)

[vader69]

Then the 17 HP Diesel that generates 6KW is only about 47% efficient. A 17 HP Diesel generates 12.7 KW... Mechanical and Electrical Watts are about the same from what I have read -- though conversion is a different story...

That's exactly my point. There is no 100% efficient conversion from one energy source to another. The 17HP diesel engine generator happens to be very inefficient. They get better as the sizes go up.

How much power can human generate would also depend on the mechanics of the generator that he/she is spinning.

I'll bet if there was a way to capture all the hot air from the global warming crowd ant their apostle, it'll power up a good size steam generator.