Proceedings of National Conference on Emerging Trends in Electrical Science on 4th August 2011

SOLAR ROADWAYS AN ASSET FOR TODAYS POWER NEED

N.Jamema, P.Nagajothi, M.Gayathri, K.Saranya, N.Bharathi
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, IRTT, Erode-638 316 Email:jamenoorf@yahoo.co.in, k.saranya_irtt@yahoo.com

Abstract:
A solar roadway is a road surface that generates electricity by solar photovoltaic. One current proposal is for 12 ft x 12 ft (4 m x 4 m) panels including solar panels and LED that can be driven on. The concept involves replacing highways, roads, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks with such a system. It is claimed that doing so across the United States of America could generate three times as much electricity as is needed to power that country and almost enough to power the world. Solar Roadways provide a more ecologically feasible means of energy production. By using recycled materials for internal support of the structures that will be used, Solar Roadways will additionally reduce the overall impact that garbage has on the environment. Everyday trash, mixed with organic materials, can be used to create the parts.

Introduction: Its an idea of replacing asphalt and concrete surfaces with solar panels that could be driven upon. Before the solar roadways can be installed, it is very important for the glass surfaces to be textured in order to create a non-slip surface. This will be especially important for consideration during different weathering conditions. The glass must also be designed in order to withstand the very frequent and massive forces that are brought to them by 18-wheel trucks. Joel Berman of JB Glass Studios, in charge of the glass design, stated during an interview, "The compression loads that glass can take are enormous. If we build it properly, and there's no fulcrum point, you should be able to drive over it with no problem." Furthermore, the glass surface of the solar roadway is said to have a grid of LED light, capable of many different messages to send to drivers.

We thought of the "black box" on airplanes: We didn't know what material that black box was made of, but it seemed to be able to protect sensitive electronics from the worst of airline crashes. Solar Road Panel:

Institute of Road and Transport Technology, Department of EEE

Proceedings of National Conference on Emerging Trends in Electrical Science on 4th August 2011

The Solar Roadway is a series of structurally-engineered solar panels that are driven upon. The idea is to replace all current petroleum-based asphalt roads, parking lots, and driveways with Solar Road Panels that collect energy to be used by our homes and businesses. Our ultimate goal is to be able to store excess energy in or alongside the Solar Roadways. This renewable energy replaces the need for the current fossil fuels used for the generation of electricity. This, in turn, cuts greenhouse gases literally in half.

handling today's heaviest loads under the worst of conditions. Weatherproof, it protects the electronics layer beneath it. Electronics Layer Contains a microprocessor board with support circuitry for sensing loads on the surface and controlling a heating element. No more snow/ice removal and no more school/business closings due to inclement weather. The on-board microprocessor controls lighting, communications, monitoring, etc. With a communications device every 12 feet, the Solar Roadway is an intelligent highway system. Base Plate Layer: While the electronics layer collects energy from the sun, it is the base plate layer that distributes power (collected from the electronics layer) and data signals (phone, TV, internet, etc.) "downline" to all homes and businesses connected to the Solar Roadway. Weatherproof, it protects the

Road Surface Layer : Translucent and high-strength, it is rough enough to provide great traction, yet still passes sunlight through to the solar collector cells embedded within, along with LEDs and a heating element. It is capable of

electronics layer above it. Overview: When multiple Solar Road Panels are interconnected, the intelligent Solar Roadway is formed. These panels replace

Institute of Road and Transport Technology, Department of EEE

Proceedings of National Conference on Emerging Trends in Electrical Science on 4th August 2011

current driveways, parking lots, and all road systems, be they interstate highways, state routes, downtown streets, residential streets, or even plain dirt or gravel country roads. Panels can also be used in amusement parks, raceways, bike paths, parking garage rooftops, remote military locations, etc. Any home or business connected to the Solar Roadway (via a Solar Road Panel driveway or parking lot) receives the power and data signals that the Solar Roadway provides. The Solar Roadway becomes an intelligent, self-healing, decentralized (secure) power grid. Impact of roadways on aesthetics: How many views are marred by ugly power lines? Imagine traveling and enjoying the lack of these obtructions. Since the power lines will be located in the Solar Roadways.And no more hacking our trees up to make room for powerlines! Smart Grid: Our current power grid is based on centralized power stations. Distribution of power is handled through transmission lines (overhead and underground), relay stations, and transformers. When a line goes down (ice, lighting, wind, tress, utility pole hit by car, etc.), everyone on the wrong end of the

line loses power until the damage is repaired. If a power station goes down, an entire section of the country goes dark. The Solar Roadways on the other hand, replaces all current centralized power stations including coal- and nuclear-powered electricity generation plants. With the Solar Roadways, the road becomes the power grid, eliminating the need for unsightly utility poles and relay stations. Illuminated Roads: Accidents drastically reduced Unlike the dark roads we drive on by night today, the Solar Roadways will have LEDs which will "paint" the lanes, and can be instantly customized as needed. Electric Vehicles: Electric vehicles (EVs) are on their way: More and more car manufacturers are offering electric vehicle options. It's a good thing too: Roughly 25% of greenhouse gases come from the exhaust pipes of internal combustion engine vehicles, which we've been using for well over 100 years. Electrical vehicles can be charged by solar roads. Since the Solar Roadway creates and carries clean renewable electricity, EVs can

Institute of Road and Transport Technology, Department of EEE

Proceedings of National Conference on Emerging Trends in Electrical Science on 4th August 2011

be recharged at any conveniently located rest stop. Recycled Materials: Let's clean up our oceans and landfills. Recycled materials can be used for the internal support structure. Over 46,000 pieces of plastic litter are floating on every square mile of ocean today. In the Central Pacific, there are up to 6 pounds of marine litter to every pound of plankton. What better way to "kill two birds with one stone" than to give the garbage that sits in our landfills and oceans a new home inside the very panels that can power our world? We want to make every effort to keep the project "green. Underdeveloped Areas: Imagine a small village in Africa that has never seen electricity. Typical of many such areas, the people have unsafe drinking water. Solar Road Panels can be trucked in and set up. It's not necessary to connect the panels into a roadway, although that may be wanted as well. But even a few panels can provide some much needed energy. Wells can be dug and outfitted with electric pumps. Satellite dishes and computers can

be brought in and set up with internet access. What happens to the inhabitants of this small village when they gain access to electricity? They'd finally have clean drinking water, communications, education, and modernization. Intelligent Highway: We're barely keeping up with the costs of maintaining our roads and bridges as it is, and the cost of construction materials is skyrocketing. New materials and technologies have to be found to replace our current archaic system.

The Solar Roadway is an intelligent road that provides clean renewable energy, while providing safer driving conditions, along with power and data delivery. The Solar Roadway will pay for itself through the generation of electricity along with other forms of revenue. The same money that is being used to build and resurface current roads can be used to build the Solar Roadways. Then, since coal-fired and nuclear power plants will no longer be needed.

Institute of Road and Transport Technology, Department of EEE

Proceedings of National Conference on Emerging Trends in Electrical Science on 4th August 2011

Snow / Ice Management: Unfortunately, snow makes for dangerous driving. Snow removal is expensive and labor intensive. DOT budgets are sometimes expended before the snow stops falling. The need for studded tires and snow chains wreck havoc on asphalt roads, which require repair every spring. A Solar Roadway heat themselves with their embedded heating elements (similar to the rear window of a car), eliminating ice and snow buildup.

the line, you're driving too slowly. You can maintain the proper speed .

Other Applications: Driveways, parking lots, bike paths, sidewalks, courtyards, pool surrounds, outdoor dance floors, airport surfaces, cemeteries, race tracks, outdoor sporting arenas, the list goes on and on. Imagine a playground for instance: The LEDs can be configured in any way imaginable. Four square courts, dodge ball circles, hop-scotch, chess/checkers, basketball courts you can paint anything you want, any time you want.

Traffic Management: Each Solar Road Panel contains a microprocessor that monitors and controls the panel, while communicating with neighboring panels and the vehicles traveling overhead. This means that you have a communications device every few feet in the road: every road, everywhere. Imagine what you can do with this kind of control: the dashed road lines that you see on highways can "travel" alongside you at the designated speed limit. If your car is moving faster than the lines, you are going too fast. If your car is being passed by

Conclusion: Hence from the paper, it is clear that, solar roadways are an asset for all problems regarding power crisis.

Institute of Road and Transport Technology, Department of EEE