The energy of movement of cars on the roads should not be wasted in vain Bashny.Net

To study the possibility of using piezoelectric crystals to generate electricity from mechanical energy generated by the transport, the California energy Commission has allocated $2 million She will choose what kind of University or private company will undertake the testing of the power plant under the asphalt.


Scientists already know that this is a working technology, but the state needs to find out whether the energy produced to cover the costs of production and installation.

"It's hard not to notice the opportunity in California, says Mike Gravely, Deputy head of the Commission. — Energy is produced, but so far it's being squandered".

The Commission expects that the use of clean energy produced by the roads will help the state achieve the goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030. By the end of 2016, California should get close to 25%.

The objectives of the research group will also include the calculation load on the apparatus. "They have to understand what will last longer — pavement or equipment," says Professor Joe Mahoney of the University of Washington in Seattle. He adds that coating is usually changed every 10-30 years.

Another question that will need to respond to researchers who have received grant — can this technology compete with other renewable energy sources to attract investment.





Such studies, as noted Phys.org were already in Israel, Japan and Italy, but either failed or was not completed. However, in spite of the risk, California are ready to give the project a chance.

In the United States there are cities that have completely switched to renewable energy sources. This, for example, Greensburg, Kansas, Burlington in Vermont and aspen in Colorado. Others promise to join in the near future, and even more by 2050.published

 

Source: hightech.fm/2016/09/26/road-electricity