S LAR ROADWAYS

Presentation by:Mr. Swapnil Vilas PatwariT. E. (CIVIL)

Guided by:Prof. R. R. PrasadCivil Engg. Dept.

WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY?

Solar energy is the light and radiant heat from the Sun that influences Earth's climate and weather and sustains life. By using this energy electricity can be produced with help of solar technology.

Solar technologies are broadly characterized as:Active solar technologyPassive solar technology

Photovoltaic cells are used to convert solar energy directly into electricity using semiconductors . This is active type of solar technology.

PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL:

WHY SOLAR?

Solar energy is preferable as compared to another energy sources due to following reasons:

Reduced Dependence on Fossil Fuels

Environment friendly

Matching Peak Time Output with Peak Time Demand

Modularity and Scalability

Flexible Locations

WHAT DOES SOLAR ROADWAY MEAN?

A solar roadway is a road surface that generates electricity by solar power photovoltaic cells embedded below a tough transparent surface which provides sufficient traction.

SOLAR ROAD CONSTRUCTION:

A solar roadway consist of three layers:Road surface layer/Glass layerElectronics layerBase plate layer

ROAD SURFACE LAYER/GLASS LAYERTranslucent and high-strength, it is rough enough to provide sufficient traction, yet still passes sunlight through to the solar collector cells embedded within, along with LEDs and a heating element.

ELECTRONICS LAYER:It contains photovoltaic cells which absorbs solar energy. It also contains a microprocessor board with support circuitry for sensing loads on the surface and controlling a heating element with a view to reducing or eliminating snow.

BASE PLATE LAYER:

While the electronics layer collects energy from the sun, it is the base plate layer that distributes that power as well as data signals (phone, TV, internet, etc.) down the line to all homes and businesses connected to the solar roadway. It needs to be weatherproof to protect the electronics layer above it.

ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ROADWAY:

Renewability

Life-span

Initial Cost

Road Illumination

Intelligent Highway system

Military and rescue assistance

DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ROADWAY:

Maintenance costs

Seasonal efficiency

Needs a town planning

ROAD SURVEY OF INDIA:India had a road network of over 42,45,805 kilometers in 2011.

In which national highways and state highways cover 0.05% of total road network.

These highways can produce 450TWh of electricity according to references when they are surfaced by solar panels.

But India needs 991TWh of electricity.

This implies that if 0.1% of total road network of India is surfaced with Solar Roadway panels, it would illuminate our nation.

Features of Solar Roadways

AESTHETICS:The power lines and data lines running over the poles,

Make the city ugly

Interrupt to the way of vehicles

Need a frequent maintenance when bad atmosphere tends to break them

Increase the overall cost as they needs poles to run over

Hacking of trees is required when they come in the way of lines

This can be avoided by encasing these power lines below the Glass layer which can be directly supplied by electricity form there itself with no loss of energy due to electric resistance. This will eliminate all the drawbacks of ‘power lines hung on poles’ and also ensure safety.

ILLUMINATED ROADS:Many people driving their vehicle at night cannot see the road ahead due to oncoming headlights or rain.

The Solar Roadways will have LEDs which will illuminate the lanes.

Thus the rate of accidents will be reduced and illumination of roads will add to the aesthetics of the city.

INTELLIGENT HIGHWAY:The LEDs can be programmed to show the instructions such as - SLOW, STOP, GO, SPEED LIMIT, etc.The LEDS can also be programmed to warn drivers of an animal on the road, an accident, or construction work.Central control stations will be able to instantly customize the lanes and words on the panels as like screen, reducing traffic congestion.

ON-THE-GO CHARGING:With induction plating embedded inside these roads, electric cars can be recharged while in motion on top of these roads. This would reduce the costs and the time-inconvenience of waiting at a charging station.

Glass panelInduction plating

Another option available for charging is stand-by charging which is done by plugging in the charger in the slot vehicle, this method can be applied when the vehicle is parked in the parking lot.

SNOW / ICE MANAGEMENT:Snow seems to be enjoyable when we were kids. But the problem arises when we grow up and drive. It makes driving dangerous.When it comes to asphalt roads they get damaged when this snow is melted and increases the maintenance cost. Budgets are also heavily taxed for snow removal.A Solar Roadway changes all of that. The roads heat themselves with their embedded heating elements and melt away all the snow.

Heating element off

Heating element on

CASE STUDY:

Solar Roadways™ is a company based in Idaho that is working to perfect and implement the idea of solar panels embedded within road surfaces, sidewalks and parking lots.

This company had made two prototypes.

Phase I Prototype:Phase II Prototype:

The United States Department of Transportation awarded the company Solar Roadways Incorporated a $100,000 research contract in 2009. This company prototyped solar road panels in laboratory.

Phase I Prototype:

Phase II Prototype:After successful completion of the Phase I SBIR contract, Solar Roadways Inc. announced that the Federal Highway Administration awarded it a follow-up $750,000 Phase II SBIR contract to take it to the next step: a solar parking lot. Following are the pictures taken of the prototype.

While preparing solar paneled parking lot

After preparing solar paneled parking lot

Tractor parked on solar paneled parking lot

Solar paneled parking lot illuminated by LEDs

A LOOK ON THE FUTURE:

CONCLUSION:For roughly the same cost of the current systems (asphalt roads and fossil fuel burning electricity generation plants), the Solar Roadways can be implemented.

No more Global Warming.

Safer driving conditions.

Far less pollution.

A new secure highway infrastructure that pays for itself.

A decentralized, self-healing, secure power grid.

No more dependency on foreign oil.

thank you