Solar Road Ways

[yossi]

Has anyone else been reading about this technology? I've seen it on imgur a couple times now and it looks like a great solution regarding fossil fuel replacement/energy conservation. Here's where I first read about it. It has some quick read summaries http://imgur.com/gallery/vSeVZ, and the actual website is www.solarroadways.com.

As an added bonus, wouldn't those look bitching all torn up in a post-apocalyptic world?

http://imgur.com/ROs9ul0.png

 

[Skiddles2014]

Huh, now you did it.

Energy source other than coal?

Let the derp begin!

 

[BoyNextDoor]

Way cool. Never saw this before.

 

[yossi]

The most exciting thing was being able to charge your fucking car just by driving over the panels. What a brilliant idea.

 

[phrodeau]

But if there are too many cars in a traffic jam, they'd all go dead in a group.

 

[yossi]

Huh, now you did it.

Energy source other than coal?

Let the derp begin!

I have it so a good 3/4 of the derp doesn't show up. It's blissful.

 

[snugglestruggle]

Yeah that won't happen. Nice idea though. It will cost too much. Imagine solar roads paved with chinese made solar tiles,panels or whatever they will call'em.

Hydrogen fuel cell is the most promising replacement technology for cars IMO.

 

[Amberchgo]

Would be interesting if they came in diff colors. Could make for some wild driveways in a home. Add geothermal and you have a pretty energy smart home.

 

[Ishmael]

Has anyone else been reading about this technology? I've seen it on imgur a couple times now and it looks like a great solution regarding fossil fuel replacement/energy conservation. Here's where I first read about it. It has some quick read summaries http://imgur.com/gallery/vSeVZ, and the actual website is www.solarroadways.com.

As an added bonus, wouldn't those look bitching all torn up in a post-apocalyptic world?

http://imgur.com/ROs9ul0.png

Good idea if they can pull it off.

Ishmael

 

[SkAoUt]

There are a lot of hurdles. Most of them political. I suppose its doable. Starting in urban centres first. I'd guess its 20 years away from being implemented at a national level.

Probably not so great in Canada. Least not on highways/truck routes (so most of the bleedin' country). Not only because truck traffic pulverizes roadway. But frost heaving and failing of the road bed might be major stumbling blocks. I'm assuming it would be attached to the asphalt or concrete road surface and when they fail an pull apart... I'm sure we've all seen the crack sealing done in the spring (asphalt roads) with tar/rubber. If these panels are attached to the road I'm pretty sure they'll be ripped up when the road bed moves. No doubt severing the electrical connection...

 

[yossi]

Would be interesting if they came in diff colors. Could make for some wild driveways in a home. Add geothermal and you have a pretty energy smart home.

I think the lights within the panel can display a range of colors. That's what the road markings look like to me in that picture I posted. I read something about it, but just in a comment on the thread.

 

[SkAoUt]

Would be interesting if they came in diff colors. Could make for some wild driveways in a home. Add geothermal and you have a pretty energy smart home.

Did you even click on a link? They cover that. The road is intelligent and can display warning signs to drivers if people/deer/elk/weasel is crossing the road ahead. By utilizing the different coloured led lights within the roadway. Probably turn it into a disco dance floor if you wanted.

 

[Skiddles2014]

But if there are too many cars in a traffic jam, they'd all go dead in a group.

The roads wouldn't be wired in series...

 

[snugglestruggle]

Your forgetting about the City workers. You know the guys with an IQ of a cucumber that are always cutting some pipeline or cable by accident.

 

[Sean Renaud]

Yeah I've seen the ideas for that and other similar stuff floating around. It looks neat.

Good idea if they can pull it off.

Ishmael

Stop fucking around on Ishmael's account. The real Ishy would tell you about the exact process needed to create those road ways and how they are actually three times as bad for the environment as just burning coal.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

But if there are too many cars in a traffic jam, they'd all go dead in a group.

Well aren't you just a ray of sunshine ... ba-dum, pshhhhhh

 

[warrior queen]

Neat idea.
However..... It took 15 months and $9.9 million to resurface and widen by one lane one 4km stretch of road near here, so I don't see this as being possible or affordable in my lifetime.

 

[nauset_beach]

World's first solar cycle lane opening in the Netherlands

http://www.theguardian.com/environm...t-solar-cycle-lane-opening-in-the-netherlands

 

[PayDay]

This a neat idea and all, but it's a waste of money, I only say this because of that Australian guy Pietro.

He invented an engine that runs on air.

ASIN: Zero pollution. Zero.

http://www.engineair.com.au/

 

[PeteHulbert37]

That is somewhat fascinating. I didn't read through all of it. Though, I am impressed that they claim to stand up to 250,000 lb trucks. I wonder about things like rain, moisture entering cracks, lightning, and how they would stand up to constant temp change from hot to cold extremes over time. Also, what about cost. They can't be cheap to make if they're that durable.

There's a reason I take notice when Yossi posts, and it isn't just her fabulous sexiness.

 

[PayDay]

Air! The frickan engine runs on air! f solar power....

It's basically a modified Wankel Rotary (like a Mazda RX series)
Wankel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine
Di Pietro: http://www.engineair.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2

 

[phrodeau]

The roads wouldn't be wired in series...

No, but the road would be shaded for long periods.

The illustration shows trees and buildings that will shade the road during most of the day. I think those would have to be removed.

 

[PayDay]

No, but the road would be shaded for long periods.

The illustration shows trees and buildings that will shade the road during most of the day. I think those would have to be removed.

Agreed. The downfalls to this just keep adding up.

Splitting hydrogen from water via osmosis seems like a more efficient way to power a car.

 

[JohnnySavage]

I miss Yossi

 

[richard_daily]

Has anyone else been reading about this technology? I've seen it on imgur a couple times now and it looks like a great solution regarding fossil fuel replacement/energy conservation. Here's where I first read about it. It has some quick read summaries http://imgur.com/gallery/vSeVZ, and the actual website is www.solarroadways.com.

As an added bonus, wouldn't those look bitching all torn up in a post-apocalyptic world?

http://imgur.com/ROs9ul0.png

That's awesome stuff... but unfortunately, it's probably just a pipe dream.

The problem is, that progress towards technology like this will be stunted by capitalism and pursuit of accumulation of wealth.

We'll never see a utopian society under the current model for business that we have. It will have to be completely re-invented.