solar-powered roads: coming to a highway near you? - solar powered street lights
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As a child growing up in the middle
1960 s, Scott Brusaw will spend hours setting up micro-highways on the living room carpet so he can run his favorite coin truck up and down on an electric track.
"I think if they power the real roads, then our kids can drive," recalls Brusaw . " He grew up as an electrical engineer.
"I have been thinking about it all my life.
"Fast Forward.
2000, with the debate on global warming in full swing, Brussels's wife Julie asked him if he could use solar panels to build electric roads he designed as a child.
Brussels initially sneered at the idea. -
But not long.
Considering the plane's black box, the couple began to consider the possibility of making a solar superplane.
Strong housing for sensitive electronics.
They explored the idea of embedding solar cells to store energy inside the enclosure, with LEDs illuminating road lines and heating elements to resist ice and snow-
Soon after, the concept of a solar road was born.
The couple's proposal calls for traditional oil.
Asphalt-based highways will be structured-
Solar panels.
These will serve as a huge energy generator to power the grid in the day.
They will also charge electric vehicles while they are driving, helping to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"Our original intention is to help solve the climate crisis," Brussels said . ".
"We learned that AmericaS.
The surface area of asphalt and concrete exposed to the sun is over 72,000 square kilometers.
If we can cover them with our solar energy panels, then we can produce three times the energy we use as a country ---
It uses clean renewable energy, not coal. "The Idaho-
The couple received their first government contract in 2009 to take charge of the project and have been working to improve it since then.
Initially, they teamed up with researchers to develop a super
A strong textured glass that can provide the traction required for the car.
They then installed led road markings to avoid damaging the battery by drawing high-speed common routes on them and heating them to heat the surface and keep the system working.
Now, the couple wants to raise enough money on the crowdfunding site Indiegogo to speed up production after the latest prototype has been successfully tested: The solar road parking lot next to their electronics lab. "They [solar panels]
In the past winter, ice and snow have been prevented from piling up and the expected electricity has been generated-
"The parking lot is equivalent to a 3600 watt solar panel," said Brussels, who hopes to be ready for production later this year or early 2014.
"The panel has passed the load test of the vehicle weighing 125 tons and is not damaged," he added . ".
"Our textured surface has been tested for traction and can stop the vehicle from traveling on a wet surface within the required distance.
In theory, solar panels can be laid anywhere, Mr. brousso said. -
From highways and parking to sidewalks and playgrounds.
He believes that such a prospect can change the existing highway infrastructure, prevent accidents and ultimately help the Earth avoid environmental disasters. "In the U. S.
"About half of the greenhouse gas is generated by burning fossil fuels," he said . "
"We have another 25% tailpipes," added Brusaw . ".
"Replacing coal with solar energy makes electric cars practical ---
This could lead to the end of the internal combustion engine. -
In theory, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75%.
Bruso admitted, "At first, about half of the people thought we were geniuses, and the other half thought we were crazy," adding shortly before, most of the responses are positive and supportive now.
"I think a lot of people want their government to solve the problems in the world, but the climate crisis is getting worse and our politicians seem confused," he said . ".
"A lot of our great technology was created in someone else's garage.
This is where the solar path was born, and we think we have finally found a solution to the cause of global warming.