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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
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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
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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.
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