[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.

[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!!

[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!”

[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/

[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!