Solar Collector Could Change Asphalt Roads Into Renewable Energy Source

Science Daily ^ | August 14, 2008 | Staff

[fightinJAG]

ScienceDaily (Aug. 14, 2008) — Anyone who has walked barefoot across a parking lot on a hot summer day knows that blacktop is exceptionally good at soaking up the sun’s warmth. Now, a research team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has found a way to use that heat-soaking property for an alternative energy source.

Through asphalt, the researchers are developing a solar collector that could turn roads and parking lots into ubiquitous—and inexpensive–sources of electricity and hot water.

The research project, which was undertaken at the request of Michael Hulen, president of Novotech Inc. in Acton, Mass, which holds a patent on the concept of using the heat absorbed by pavements, is being directed by Rajib Mallick, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering.

[fightinJAG]

ping?

[wastedyears]

Considering in some states, the roads get so hot you could almost fry an egg on them, this just might be a good idea.

But then you have to factor in the cities and towns completely ripping up the existing roads, laying down whatever they need to to collect the heat, then re-paving them.

It might not be too cost-effective.

[4rcane]

hype? The article doesn’t really tell you much e.g whats the results of this experiment?

[fightinJAG]

That seems like something that could be worked around.

The road engineers are constantly incorporating new technology and materials into new roads and improvements of existing roads. Seems like in conjuction with one of those events, something like this could be included pretty easily.

Plus it’s not just roads—think of all the new parking lots that go up around new shopping plazas every year. That’s not chopped liver.

[Straight Vermonter]

you have to factor in the cities and towns completely ripping up the existing roads, laying down whatever they need to to collect the heat, then re-paving them.

We do that every couple of years anyway.

[sola gracia]

Unless I’m mistaken, isn’t asphalt made out of oil??? So let me get this straight, we are going to make an alternative fuel out of oil? Give me a break.

DRILL NOW!!

[Vanders9]

It wouldnt be cost-effective to rip up existing roads, but it might work out if all future road construction and repair incorporated this technology (providing of course that it all works).

[endthematrix]

Here’s a slideshow:
http://novotech.net/NovotechSlideshow.html

[Bender2]

Many years ago, in the late 70s or early 80s if I recall correctly, I sparked for awhile a divorced lady who lived in the Texas Hill County near Wimberly. Her home had a very large enclosed pool. Seems the pool was heated in the wintertime by water running through pipes set in the large circular driveway, tennis courts and a half-court basketball area all exposed to the sun. The hot water was also used in the house year round.

She told me her ex-husband planned it all out that way and did almost all of it with his own hands.

“Matter of fact,” she added, “if he had planned, worked as hard and used all that effort in the bedroom as he did on the pipes and such, he wouldn't be my ex!”

[CarmichaelPatriot]

It wouldnt be cost-effective to rip up existing roads, but it might work out if all future road construction and repair incorporated this technology (providing of course that it all works).

All the road here in Kalifornia need to be repaved anyway. Maybe this would be a way to finally get it done!

[endthematrix]

Hot asphalt tapped for its solar power
Dutch company uses pipes under roads to heat water for use elsewhere
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22444063/

Solar Roadways Could Power The Entire United States
Roads would be paved with glass panels that could collect and distribute solar energy.
http://ecotality.com/life/2007/09/17/solar-roadways-could-power-the-entire-united-states/

[GAB-1955]

Sure, drill now. But it is foolish to depend on oil alone for energy needs. We are a very fortunate nation to have a large portion of it in the south, where Solar energy is very useful.

[agere_contra]

Unless I’m mistaken, isn’t asphalt made out of oil??

Er, yes it is. But, you see, they're not advocating setting fire to the roads. They want to use them as solar cells.

[wafflehouse]

heat pollution!
global warming!
everybody panic!

[AndyJackson]

This is, technically, idiotic. The solar heating of asphalt is extremely low grade energy. No, a road does not actually get hot enough to fry and egg on. It gets hot enough that you can barely stand to walk on it which is about 140-150 degrees F max. That is not hot

[norwaypinesavage]

"Anyone who has walked barefoot across a parking lot on a hot summer day knows that blacktop is exceptionally good at soaking up the sun’s warmth."

Yes, and anyone who has walked barefoot across a parking lot on a cold winter day knows that blacktop doesn't get very hot in the winter. Using heat from the pavement to heat buildings in the summer isn't very smart. Using heat from the pavement to heat buildings in the winter doesn't work. Until we get these "unobtanium heat exchangers" for pennies per square foot, leave my driveway alone, and START DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC WASTELANDS NOW!

[Tribune7]

Remember, every year in almost every town a road is being repaved.

[TexasBarak]

This is, technically, idiotic. The solar heating of asphalt is extremely low grade energy. No, a road does not actually get hot enough to fry and egg on. It gets hot enough that you can barely stand to walk on it which is about 140-150 degrees F max. That is not hot

Ever been to Texas? I've seen it done- of course, I must admit that they used a black iron frying pan, but nonetheless, I have seen an egg fried by the sun.