Sampling Of Roadway Renewable Energy Designs

February 4th, 2015 by Glenn Meyers

Roadway renewable energy enthusiasts might be interested in seeing some of these demonstrations, referred to by the Federal Highway Administration as “Alternate Uses of Highway Right-of-Way (ROW).”

Although some may believe renewable energy test are a new thing, rest assured, they are not at all, writes the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), stating, “Renewable energy has been used in roadway applications for at least 60 years.”

Evidence of using renewable energy solutions for ROW problems can be traced back to Klamath Falls, Oregon. In 1948, where a geothermal deicing mechanism was used on a bridge design near a steep grade, and in Colorado, where a feasibility study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of geothermal highway sections. Here, results showed snow-cover duration was greatly reduced where heat pipes had been installed.

The FHWA reports site-specific geothermal ROW systems have site specific, have been installed in New Jersey, South Dakota, Wyoming, Virginia, Japan, Switzerland, and Argentina.

Successful results like these have raised the question of how renewable energy might be generated in a highway ROW.

“Currently, solar, wind, and biocrop growth/harvesting, or “bioenergy,” technologies offer the most immediate opportunities for generating renewable energy in the ROW,” states the FHWA, adding that other renewable energies can also be explored, including items like waste-to-energy conversion; hydrogen fuel generation via wind, solar, biomass, and waste resources. Add to this intriguing list of possible solutions technologies such as “energy harvesting via wave-, tidal-, and vibration-capturing technologies.”

Think about these tests in a positive light. Highway ROWs represent a tremendous potential resource of untapped energy, featuring a significant acreage position that is very scalable when large quantities of energy might be required.

According to the FHWA, several state DOTs, including Colorado, Massachusetts, Texas, Ohio and California (see report for specific details), are now conducting comprehensive statewide renewable energy feasibility studies to identify promising renewable energy technologies and best locations where such technologies might be implemented.

Of particular interest are solar energy studies that have been slated, using PV technology.

The FHWA reports two types of PV systems are being used: traditional flat-plate PV systems and concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems.

Such testing is not limited to the United States. Solar cell applications alongside travel lanes, versus in the road itself, exist in both Europe and Canada. The United Kingdom (UK), Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, France, and Germany have been installed various types of hybrid PV noise barriers.

Here at home, several state DOTs “are beginning to pursue similar projects encouraged by international activities, as well as directives to find ways to reduce statewide GHG emissions.”

This is very encouraging news.

Place Oregon in the lead for such projects. The first solar highway project in the US was developed here in 2008, “Oregon’s Solar Highway Demonstration Project.” The highway interchange – Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 – has since been designated as a “Corridor of the Future.”

This corridor consists of a 594-panel, 104-kW dc ground-mounted solar array system that has produced approximately 130,000 kWh annually since it first went online – roughly enough electricity to supply a third of the energy needed to illuminate the interchange in that area.

Generating energy on ROWs is not just the purview of the government. Solar Roadways, an Idaho-based company launched by Scott and Julie Brusaw, has generated a considerable interest, having received Importantly, it received two phases of funding from FHWA for research and development of a paving system that will conceivably pay for itself over its lifespan of the road system.

This modular system, using a tough glass surface, has been tested for traction, load testing, and impact resistance testing in civil engineering laboratories around the country, and exceeded all requirements. Finally, it can generate electricity and enough heat to keep the road surface ice-free. Engineer Scott Brusaw did not return calls to comment on the progress of his project.

We look forward to seeing the expansion of all these projects over the next decade.

Photo credits: via Solar Roadways, Solar Highway Demonstration Project Photo credit: Oregon DOT, EU PV noise barrier via photovoltaik.eu









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