Something Interesting

[US Iceman]

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)