The Netherlands Aims to Transform Bike Lanes into Power Plants
Kyle Farquharson — April 24, 2011 — Eco
References: rnw.nl & treehugger
A country known for its windmills has found its way to the cutting edge of renewable energy once again. The Dutch government recently announced a pilot project in the town of Krommenie, which is about 15 kilometers north of Amsterdam, that will see solar panels installed in bike lanes in the community. The SolaRoad, as the technology is called, will then likely appear in other jurisdictions of Holland if it’s successful in Krommenie.
The energy-harvesting pavement, designed by Dutch research firm TNO, includes a layer of concrete overlaid with crystalline silicone solar cells. Upon installation, the solar panels are coated with a layer of pressure and damage-resistant glass. In theory, each square foot of solar panels is capable of generating 50 kWh of power per year, which would be used to power streetlights, some households and perhaps electric cars. Of course, the solar panels’ energy production capacity is contingent on sunshine.
The first SolaRoads are scheduled for implementation next year.
Photo Credits: 1 | 2 | 3
The energy-harvesting pavement, designed by Dutch research firm TNO, includes a layer of concrete overlaid with crystalline silicone solar cells. Upon installation, the solar panels are coated with a layer of pressure and damage-resistant glass. In theory, each square foot of solar panels is capable of generating 50 kWh of power per year, which would be used to power streetlights, some households and perhaps electric cars. Of course, the solar panels’ energy production capacity is contingent on sunshine.
The first SolaRoads are scheduled for implementation next year.
Photo Credits: 1 | 2 | 3
Trend Themes
1. Solar-powered Infrastructure - The installation of solar panels in bike lanes demonstrates the potential for integrating renewable energy into existing infrastructure, paving the way for solar-powered roads, sidewalks, and other structures.
2. Energy-harvesting Technologies - The development of TNO's SolaRoad highlights the growing trend of innovating technologies that can capture and convert energy from the environment, opening up opportunities for various applications in renewable energy generation.
3. Decentralized Energy Generation - By implementing solar panels in bike lanes, the pilot project in Krommenie showcases the possibility of locally generating clean energy, empowering communities to become more self-sufficient and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - The solar panels in bike lanes present an opportunity for the renewable energy industry to explore new avenues of energy production, such as incorporating solar technology into infrastructure to maximize clean energy generation.
2. Smart City Development - Integrating energy-harvesting technologies into urban infrastructure like bike lanes opens up opportunities for the smart city industry by enabling the generation of clean energy while optimizing the use of public spaces.
3. Transportation - The implementation of solar panels in bike lanes not only promotes sustainable transportation but also presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the transportation industry, such as integrating solar power into electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
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