Generating electricity from the road surface as vehicles pass by

He is developing new road surface materials that can convert vibrations from passing vehicles into electricity.

Vehicles passing on the road can generate electricity. Photo: ITV.

British scientists are researching smart materials that can generate electricity from vehicle movements to make road surfaces, Science Daily reported on September 18.

The project, by engineers at Lancaster University, aims to develop smart materials such as piezoelectric ceramics that, when applied to road surfaces, can capture and convert vibrations generated by vehicles into electricity.

The amount of electricity generated per kilometer will be 1-2 megawatts with normal traffic flow, about 2,000 - 3,000 cars per hour. This is the amount of energy needed to operate 2,000 - 4,000 street lights.

In addition to the environmental benefits, the new project will also save a lot of tax money. Currently, the cost of lighting a street light is about 20 USD/kWh. The cost of lighting 2,000-4,000 bulbs would be equivalent to 2,434-4,868 USD/day. The researchers said that the cost of installing and operating the new technology is only about 20% of that amount.

"The research aims to help produce smart road materials in the future. We will develop new materials to take advantage of the piezoelectric effect where passing vehicles put pressure on the road surface and create voltage. These materials need to withstand high pressure and must balance the cost and the amount of energy they produce," said Professor Mohamed Saafi, who heads the project.

The new system would convert mechanical energy into electricity to power street lamps, traffic lights and electric vehicle charging points, according to Professor Saafi. They could also be used for a variety of other functions, such as monitoring traffic flow.

The new technology will be tested in the UK and several European countries once completed.

According to VNE