Smart objects and green energy are in vogue at the moment and for a very good reason; innovations in these fields can change our daily lives and can help the environment where we live.
A couple of American engineers, Scott and Julie Brusaw have created a new type of roadways, that they have called “Solar Roadways”, that could revolutionize the way we drive and the way we generate energy.

Solar Roadways is a modular paving system of solar panels that can withstand the heaviest of trucks (250,000 pounds). These Solar Road Panels can be installed on roads, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, bike paths, playgrounds… literally any surface under the sun. They pay for themselves primarily through the generation of electricity, which can power homes and businesses connected via driveways and parking lots. A nationwide (USA) system could produce 3 times more clean renewable energy than a country uses as a whole.
Solar roadways act as solar panels but they have many other features as well, including: heating elements to stay snow/ice free, LEDs to make road lines and signage, and attached Cable Corridor to store and treat stormwater and provide a “home” for power and data cables. These smart roadways could also communicate with smart, self driven cars and they support mutual induction technology which would allow for charging while driving of electronic cars.
The implementation of the Solar Roadways project on a grand scale would change the world as we know it in significant ways. Imagine the possibilities of a post Solar Roadways world: Your home could be all or nearly off grid thanks to your solar driveway (which you no longer have to shovel or plow if you live in the north), patio, or walkways etc. When you leave home, you’ll be driving on Solar Roadways which are snow and ice free, pothole free, and the LEDs help you see the lines clearly and easily, especially at night when many people suffer night blindness.  If there is danger ahead from a deer in the road or a sudden accident, the intelligent road can sense this and warn you to “Slow Down”. This will save the lives of countless animals and keep people safer too.  If you go somewhere new, the intelligent road can direct you with an LED-lit arrow that you follow to your destination. If you have an electronic car, you can stop and charge at a solar parking lot while you work, shop or eat, using clean energy from the sun. Eventually, you’ll be able to charge while you drive via mutual induction panels. Solar Roadways will provide the infrastructure to make this possible.
If you are interested in learning more about Solar Roadways I invite you to look their promotional video at http://trendinghot.net/invention-will-change-world-just-watch/ .
 
Juan PORTILLA
Etudiant en M2 Commerce électronique et Assistant e-marketing et SEO/SEM chez Advisa Digital Agency.