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  1. #1
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    Something Interesting



    While searching for some information this morning I found this and thought I would share with all of you.

    It comes from the IEA Heat Pump Centre's newletter, Volume 20, No.2/2002.


    Thermoroad –Applied Peltier technology


    Netherlands
    - Road asphalt may find

    another use in the near future. By applying
    Peltier elements in the road surface and
    underground, small-scale electricity can be
    generated. Highway tests in the Netherlands
    are being conducted to prove the technical
    concept.
    In summer, the high temperature in the
    asphalt layer and the low temperature of the
    groundwater create a voltage potential,
    which produces electricity in the Peltier
    elements. In winter, the system works the
    other way around. Five U-shape copper
    prefab elements containing cables,
    groundwater pipes and other hardware have
    been installed across the road. The Peltier
    elements are mounted on the copper
    elements. A top layer of 6 mm highconductivity,
    water-resistant asphalt protects
    the energy system. The system produces
    20 kWh of electricity per m


    2 of road

    annually, as the result of an expected
    temperature differential of 2 to 10°C.
    Source: Techniek 28 June 2002 (in Dutch)


    Last edited by US Iceman; 21-12-2006 at 11:43 AM. Reason: editing



  2. #2
    Brian_UK's Avatar
    Brian_UK is offline Moderator I am starting to push the Mods: of RE Site Moderator : and general nice guy
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    Re: Something Interesting

    Do they save the summer generated power so that the road can be heated in the winter I wonder.
    Brian - Newton Abbot, Devon, UK
    Retired March 2015

  3. #3
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    Re: Something Interesting

    Hi Brian,

    I just don't know what they do with this, other than a sexy technology.

    One other thing I have seen related to road construction is using a geothermal heat pump.

    Apparently, the GHP is used to pull heat from the ground and then the heat is used to heat bridge decks to prevent ice formation. Sort of another form of walkway or driveway snow melting.

    This one appears practical in the implementation at least. It would be interesting to have some solid facts to back this up. Differences in cost of maintenance, police involvement due to accidents, prolonged bridge life due to more stable temperatures, etc.
    Last edited by US Iceman; 21-12-2006 at 11:57 PM. Reason: editing

  4. #4
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    Re: Something Interesting

    it's really not a bad idea maybe it can supply the road light like solar power.
    I hear...I forget;I see...I remember;I do...I understand

  5. #5
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    Re: Something Interesting

    Hi LC,

    That may be a good idea if LED lights get cheap enough. They use less power for an equivalent amount of light I believe, and probably last longer than a sodium or mercury vapor lamps.

    One thing I am fairly sure of is, someone will figure out how to do it if they have enough money and time.

  6. #6
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    Re: Something Interesting

    Here in Canada all most all road lights are LED for trafic and pedestrian, the main lamps are Sodium vapour. The crossing lights have a solar cell on each side of the road that poweres them and charges their back up

  7. #7
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    Re: Something Interesting

    Hey US_Iceman, your avatar is of a screw vacuum pump? i just helped rebuild a few of them the other day. wild azz pumps!!!

  8. #8
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    Re: Something Interesting

    Quote Originally Posted by Grant_84
    Hey US_Iceman, your avatar is of a screw vacuum pump?
    Actually, they are rotors from a screw compressor, but close enough.

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