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Filling the Tank With Sun
Author: BobR
Date: 12/13/2010 04:57:44
Sometimes an idea comes along that changes life the way we know it. Sometimes two different ideas come along that are both smart in their own right, but when combined become brilliant. Sometimes that change is driven by the commercial sector. Here in America, that kind of revolutionary change is often propelled or buried, depending on who profits and who lobbies the government the hardest.
Electric cars are once again being considered by many Americans, with the greatest stumbling block being the time and difficulty required for charging them when away from home. Who wants to buy an electric car that can only be "safely" driven 50-100 miles? Most people don't want that kind of virtual leash. But what if you could drive an electric car from coast to coast without ever even stopping to recharge it?... and you knew that it was being charged with solar power the whole way? It's feasible, if you combine two separate ideas being proposed.
The first idea is being tested in London. What they are doing is installing electro-magnetic wires in the roads themselves, and then outfitting the electric cars with electro-magnetic induction chargers (this is the same technology used to charge rechargeable toothbrushes, etc). This is set to debut on parts of England's M-25 highway:
Naturally, this would require an investment in infrastructure, something the American political system is loathe to do. Who would pay for the electricty? Who would benefit? Suppose the electricity was provided by solar power? With that the case, it would cost no one beyond the initial investment and maintenance. A California couple has an idea to solve that one:
Naturally, there are a lot of engineering and practical issues here. How scarce are the materials used to build solar cells? Would the solar road be able to generate enough power to keep a car going indefinitely? (Probably not. But it might be able to deliver enough power to extend a car's range from 2-3 hrs to 7-8 hrs... And THAT would be enough to eliminate the fear of buying one).
The bigger question is - can it even get consideration in today's political climate, with politicians bought and paid for by corporations (such as the oil companies that will lose big-time with this)? It's sad to consider that our Jetsons' future could be withheld so easily.
Electric cars are once again being considered by many Americans, with the greatest stumbling block being the time and difficulty required for charging them when away from home. Who wants to buy an electric car that can only be "safely" driven 50-100 miles? Most people don't want that kind of virtual leash. But what if you could drive an electric car from coast to coast without ever even stopping to recharge it?... and you knew that it was being charged with solar power the whole way? It's feasible, if you combine two separate ideas being proposed.
The first idea is being tested in London. What they are doing is installing electro-magnetic wires in the roads themselves, and then outfitting the electric cars with electro-magnetic induction chargers (this is the same technology used to charge rechargeable toothbrushes, etc). This is set to debut on parts of England's M-25 highway:
The UK is gearing up for a green transportation revolution as the first wireless electric car charger was recently launched in London. The IPT (Induction Power Transfer) is the world’s first commercially-available wireless electric car charging system, and is the flagship product of recent start-up company HaloIPT. The company’s unique charging system has been described as the safest, most efficient and most effective way to transfer power without wires.
The company is planning to electrify parts of England’s M25 motorway by using magnetic induction, a principle that was first discovered in the 1800s. The Inductive Power Transfer system allows a car fitted with a simple integrated receiver pad to be charged automatically when parked or driven on roads with HaloIPT’s special charging pads beneath their surface. If major road routes such as the M25 are ‘electrified’, then it will greatly increase the range and the appeal of electric vehicles.
The IPT is designed to be compatible with all vehicles (including eBikes and heavy goods vehicles), and it has been designed to function under any weather conditions — even if the driver doesn’t align the car properly with the pads embedded in the asphalt.
Naturally, this would require an investment in infrastructure, something the American political system is loathe to do. Who would pay for the electricty? Who would benefit? Suppose the electricity was provided by solar power? With that the case, it would cost no one beyond the initial investment and maintenance. A California couple has an idea to solve that one:
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.
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 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 LayerLayer - 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 electronics layer above it.
Naturally, there are a lot of engineering and practical issues here. How scarce are the materials used to build solar cells? Would the solar road be able to generate enough power to keep a car going indefinitely? (Probably not. But it might be able to deliver enough power to extend a car's range from 2-3 hrs to 7-8 hrs... And THAT would be enough to eliminate the fear of buying one).
The bigger question is - can it even get consideration in today's political climate, with politicians bought and paid for by corporations (such as the oil companies that will lose big-time with this)? It's sad to consider that our Jetsons' future could be withheld so easily.
