Wednesday, July 11, 2012
On the Road to Renewable Energy: Creating Electric Highways
Across Ontario, highways stretch for thousands of kilometres. They're the foundation of our transportation system, facilitating the flow of people and goods. But what if they could do even more - like generate electricity, for instance?
Waterloo engineers believe it's possible to harvest energy from the sunlight beating down on the province's roads. Photovoltaic panes embedded in the asphalt could be either hooked into the electricity grid or used to directly power streetlights and signs. In winter, the energy they generate could even melt snow and ice, eliminating the need for plowing and sanding.
Full story at Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE)