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Budny 1:00 L19 Disclaimer—This paper partially fulfills a writing requirement for first year (freshman) engineering students at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. This paper is a student, not a professional, paper. This paper is based on publicly available information and may not provide complete analyses of all relevant data. If this paper is used for any purpose other than these authors’ partial fulfillment of a writing requirement for first year (freshman) engineering students at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, the user does so at his or her own risk. FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE AND THE SOLAR ROAD SOLUTION Matt McKelvey INTRODUCTION: IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME solid tempered glass layer, that provides enough clarity for the solar panels to function, as well as providing traction on the top surface. They have safety locked down, but they also focused strongly on the cost of production, and lifetime maintenance. The panels can be individually replaced in case one becomes damaged, in a rare case. Because these panels are modular, they can be adapted for many different applications and size requirements. Not only do they act as solar panels, but they also contain many sensors that create a “smart road” scenario where the road can create feedback, that can then change traffic patterns, and create warnings. These panels also contain LEDs which can change lane markers, and post warnings at an instant. They can also be outfitted with heating elements for colder climates that would melt any frozen precipitation on the surface, which provides is own complete set of benefits to cost, and safety. These different attributes of the panels create possible markets other than use on roadways, including recreational facilities, private lots, and residential plots. It is often taken for granted that there will always be a steady supply of fossil fuel to power our modern society. However, we could be burning up our reserves much sooner than most people would like to believe. The average United States citizen has grown up with fossil fuels being abundant. Of course, there have been have been a few sparse shortages over the past few centuries, but these were never caused by a lack of fossil fuels provided by the planet. These shortages were mostly caused by conflict around the world, and struggling economies. During these shortages, most people were not afraid that the fuel would never come back. They were simply upset that they had to wait in line and pay high prices for gas at the pump while the government figured out whatever foreign conflict was causing it. The kicker is that our next large fuel shortage may be the end. Fossil fuels are a nonrenewable resource, and our reserves are almost depleted. It is not a matter of if our reserves will run out, but it is a matter of when. To some, this would seem like a great time to convert our current technologies over to other, renewable power sources. However, the majority will find any reason, no matter how miniscule it may be, to fault these new technologies. These faults can usually be narrowed down to one of two issues, money, or safety. Although these issues are important, they are usually used as scapegoats for smaller issues. Many of these technologies get “red flagged” by the public due to a lack of understanding. It is partially an engineer’s duty to explain their innovation to the public, or explain it well enough to someone who knows how to get it into the public eye. Some extremely beneficial technologies are not viable because there is a lack of knowledge about them, and they do not get enough exposure to get the support and funding that is required. A technology that is just starting to gain the exposure that I believe it deserves is the Solar Roadway system. The engineers of this system made sure to handle safety, and price management before releasing it for public criticism. The name of the system accurately sums up the main function of the product. As stated, the Solar Roadway system turns the wasted space of roadways, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, etc., into usable solar panels. The system is made up of interlocking hexagonal solar panels, with other LEDs, heating elements, etc., built into them. They are then encased in a University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 11.1.2016 FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE Our country has been molded around fossil fuel based products. The most prevalent one being the automobile. So much of our culture has been based on fossil fuels since the beginning of the twentieth century, that most people can’t imagine life without it. Petroleum is so deeply engrained in our culture, that most people never even bat an eye when they flip their lights on, get in their gasoline powered car, or take a hot shower. While everyone continues with their everyday life, our climate is on a downward spiral. One would think that with the amount of “green” initiatives and advertising, that our climate would be recovering. However, this is not remotely the case. The U.S. Energy Information Administration released a statement that “Primary energy consumption in the United States was almost three times greater in 2014 than it was in 1949. In all but 18 of the years between 1949 and 2014, primary energy consumption increased over the previous year” [1]. Upon further research, most of the 18 years that were mentioned were not even within the last 50 years. We are continuing to burn more fossil fuels than ever before, even with the massive outcry and green initiatives. Most people refuse to give up their personal comfort and convenience to save our planet. Much of the time, there is no sacrifice to personal comfort or convenience, but simply the inability for 1 Matt McKelvey one to extend their viewpoint beyond their normal comfort zone. The American comfort zone differs from most other countries’ comfort zones. The term comfort zone may appear colloquial, but it is the best way to describe the problem at hand. Americans base most decision making on pride and stability. Whereas the values of other countries focus more on more “important” issues such as rights, environmental impacts, etc. However, our fossil fuel based culture can be a major cause for stability in our country within the upcoming years. AAA says that “Petroleum supplies 99% of the fuel used in cars and trucks today. Gasoline and diesel prices continue to fluctuate as more nations modernize and compete for limited oil supplies” [2]. Our dependence can jeopardize the very stability of our economy, and our country. One may claim that stability is relative, and that fossil fuels have been more stable relative to everything else in our culture, but we should not settle with relativity. This would be akin to saying that a child’s car seat is relatively safe, which would not go over well in a review. AAA quickly offers a potential solution to the stability issue, “EVs (electric vehicles) replace energy from imported oil with electricity that is produced in North America, and this benefit is magnified when that electricity comes from renewable sources such as nuclear, hydroelectric, wind or solar power. Over time, EVs will become even more environmentally friendly as additional renewable energy from other technologies is added to the power grid” [2]. This appears to be the simple answer to all our fossil fuel problems. Simply implement electric vehicles! It is not that simple, as AAA stated, the concept cannot be fully effective until our power grid has switched to renewable resources. If the electric vehicles are getting their electricity from a coal or natural gas power plant, then the benefit is cut in half. Over time, this switch to a renewable power grid will come. However, it needs to happen now. The longer we put off the switch, the more irreversible damage that will be done to our environment, and the harder it will be to recover. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report on climate change in 2014 in which they state “Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems. Limiting climate change would require substantial and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions which, together with adaptation, can limit climate change risks” [3]. We can essentially ruin our planet. It may be a news flash to some, but Earth is the only planet that we have at this point. If we ruin it now, it could be the end of human kind, or at least the end of life as we know it. panels, that would replace concrete and asphalt pavement. If one thinks about it, most paved space is simply wasted. On the other hand, most solar panel fields are also considered to waste space. The Solar Roadway system combines the two systems into one highly efficient form of power production. The main purpose of this system is to produce solar energy. The key to a successful power source is cost, and power output. With solar panels, the angle of the sunlight has a large impact on the amount of energy produced, which is why most solar panels are tilted towards the sun. Therefore, a solar panel near the equator does not need to be tilted as much as a solar panel in Canada. To keep their numbers conservative, all testing was done in northern Idaho, allowing for plenty of extra power potential in the southern states. Solar Roadways claims “that if all driving and walking surfaces in the U.S. were converted to Solar Roadway panels, they could produce over three times the electricity used in the United States. In fact, just the "lower 48" could almost produce enough electricity to supply the entire world” [4]. Replacing every surface in the country is not feasible, but with the margin of excess power production by counting the southern states, every surface would not have to be replaced. Even if all the major highways in the country were replaced, that could be enough to power the country. This solves the issue with powering electric vehicles. With a clean power grid to pull from, electric vehicles become much more viable. The issue with current renewable resources is the ability, and cost to get the power back into the grid to be used by the public. The EPA blames this on unclear utility regulations in more rural areas. Since most renewable resources must be in rural areas due to space and zoning restrictions, it forces them into areas where there is not much regulation [5]. This lack of regulation also limits the amount of renewable energy sites that can be created, as the permit process may be lacking in these rural areas. With the roadways becoming the site for the renewable energy extraction, there is no need for this permit process. The road itself will become the power distribution point. Commercial and residential facilities can directly pull their energy from the road, parking lot, or even driveway that leads to their building. This direct link to the new power grid also eliminates the use for above ground telephone and power lines. Along the side of each solar roadway system is a power channel that is a sealed concrete compartment that runs the length of the system that contains all power lines, high speed internet, and telephone lines. This channel is located just under the surface, and out of sight. An underground channel like this eliminates the threat of power outages during severe weather, and eliminates the danger of having telephone poles so close to moving traffic. Another benefit to having the roadway generating and containing its own power source, is that the roadway can become “smart”. This includes the use of heating elements, sensors, and LEDs. In colder climates, heating elements can be installed so that no frozen precipitation will accumulate on the surface of the road, making it a much safer driving surface. THE SOLUTION: SOLAR ROADS An engineering couple based out of Idaho, Scott and Julie Brusaw developed the Solar Roadway system. The system that they have developed is based on hexagonal solar 2 Matt McKelvey This also eliminates any waste of money for snow removal in the winter. Anyone that lives in the northern United States will tell you that winter time kills cars. The amount of salt that gets laid down on the roads by snow plows to melt the snow will quite literally eat a car’s frame. Heating elements are not the only safety measure in this system. With sensors throughout the panels, the system can report feedback to other sections of the roadway. If there is an accident, stopped traffic, animal crossing, etc., the system will know. With the use of LEDs, these warnings can be shown directly on the road surface. Each panel is encased in a strong, recycled tempered glass material that is translucent enough to allow light through, but also meets all load requirements for road surfaces. This tempered glass is textured, to provide enough friction on the surface to create a safe driving environment. One major benefit of using a modular system of panels, is that if on rare occasion one panel was to become damaged, it can simply be swapped out. This repair would be much easier, and longer lasting than most pot hole repairs on current roadways. With the ability to change markings on the surface, lines never need to be repainted, and the lines can be moved for construction or emergency purposes at a moment’s notice. The modular design also allows for a wide variety of shapes and sizes of surfaces. Allowing for endless possibilities of uses. From recreational facilities where you can choose the layout of the field, to parking lots that can change parking spot locations. One of the largest downsides to a project like this would be the initial upfront cost. The initial cost of a system like this would be massive, but it is one of the few systems that would provide a return on investment. We would receive energy, and a safe road system in return. It would pay for itself in a matter of months. The last great change in our road systems was during Eisenhower’s presidency, and he created tens of thousands of jobs. This new revitalization of our roads would create even more jobs in construction, engineering, and manufacturing of the panels. if we sit and do not act. Scott and Julie Brusaw may not even be alive when their technology gets implemented, but they will have made the world a better place for their children, and everyone else on this planet. Most engineers are simply in the business for money, but engineers need to have motives like these two. They found their passion, and pursued it even when there is not much support. As engineers, it is our responsibility to further our technology to improve the wellbeing of society. As of right now, one of the largest threats to our society is global warming, and the need for renewable energy sources. As engineers, we must not only create the technologies, but we must also be passionate about our discoveries, so that we can gain the publics support like Solar Roadways has gained my support. SOURCES [1] U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Monthly Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production.” Analysis and Projections. 9.30.2016. Accessed 10.29.2016. http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/production/ [2] AAA. “Environmental Benefits.” Electric Vehicles. 9.14.2014. Accessed 10.30.2016. http://exchangeev.aaa.com/benefits-of-drivingelectric/environmental-benefits/ [3] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. “Synthesis Report.” Climate Change 2014. 11.5.2014. Accessed 10.29.2016. https://www.ipcc.ch/news_and_events/docs/ar5/ar5_syr_hea dlines_en.pdf [4] Solar Roadways. “Solar.” Energy Production Specifics. 1.24.2016. Accessed 10.27.2016. http://www.solarroadways.com/Specifics/Solar [5] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “State Renewable Energy.” State Local Climate. 9.8.2016. Accessed 10.29.2016. https://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/staterenewable-energy CONCLUSION [6] Central Intelligence Agency. “The World Factbook.” Publications. 5.18.2016. Accessed 10.30.2016. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/us.html At the time of writing this paper, I am 18 years old. I hope to have plenty of time on this planet ahead of me, and one thing that may impact that is our global warming crisis. I always believed that it would impact my children during their life time, but it is already causing issues in our world. Per the CIA’s World Factbook, we will run out of oil as soon as 2051, with all fossil fuels including coal and natural gas running out by 2088 [6]. Add about 10 years to those numbers as a “benefit of doubt” to finding new reserves, and it is still frightening. If it doesn’t end our world, it will at least end our world as we know it. The Solar Roadway system is a viable option to turn around our environment, and create a cleaner, and safer world. It may seem daunting to embark on such a large project, but it pales in comparison to the potential outcomes ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Daniel McKelvey for planting the seed of the solar roadway idea in my head and introducing me to the topic years ago. It was always in the back of my head and I finally got to do some real research on it. 3