PIEZOELECTRIC ROADS
Electricity – supply and demand in India
Piezoelectricity – History Working
Piezoelectric roads- Intro Construction Harvesting mechanismSpecifications
Comparison
Advantages
Disadvantages
Conclusion
Electricity –Supply & DemandElectricity is a basic need for
everyone
But electricity reaches only 65% of the entire population and rest 35% still live in darkness in India
That 65% population also doesn't get continuous power supply and we still face power cuts
To satisfy all the needs we need to produce 81,08,76,150 MW·h/yr
Whereas ,the production is only 60,06,49,000 MW·h/yr
So we need 210227150 MW·h/yr , to reach the demand.
We need to think of an alternative to solve this crisis
Presently there are many alternatives like solar , wind , tidal etc..
All these years we have ignored a better alternative which is right under our feet ….“THE PIEZOELECTRIC ROAD“
PIEZOELECTRICITY- History
Piezoelectricity, discovered by Curie brothers in 1880, originated from the Greek word “piezenin”, meaning, to press.
The original meaning of the word “piezoelectric” implies “Pressure electricity’ –the generation of electric field from applied pressure.
WORKINGA force is applied along a
neutral axis (y) of a crystal and the charges are generated along the (x) direction, perpendicular to the line of force.
The amount of charge depends on the
1. geometrical dimensions of the respective piezoelectric element.
2. The pressure applied.
PIEZOELECTRIC ROADSPresent day we are using asphalt
roads(Tar road) on which thousands of vehicles run on it.
When a vehicle passes over a road, the road deflects vertically(vibrates).
These vibrations are released as thermal energy which is being wasted.
By incorporating piezoelectric generators in the roads we can convert the vibrations caused by the vehicles into useful electricity.
Construction The first layer is laid with fine graval and
sand content.Then a thin layer of asphalt is laid which
acts like a strong base for the generators.Piezoelectric generators are placed in quick
drying concrete as per design and left for 30min.
Then all the generators are wired in series to get collective output.
A bitumen sheet is used to cover all the generators to provide better adhesion of concrete to asphalt.
Finally a thick layer of asphalt is layed which finishes the construction.
HARVESTING MECHANISMGenerators harvest the
mechanical energy of the vehicles and converts to electrical energy.
Electricity energy is transferred and stored via harvesting module.
Then it is charged into the battery on one side of the road.
From there it is distributed .
Yield : For one km of piezoelectric road,of one lane we can generate 44000 KW·h/yr.
Specifications:-
generator size: 1sq ft
1 generator = Rs.2000
No of gen. needed = 3280(for 1km of road.)
Cost estimation=70lakhs (for 1 km of road.)
COMPARISONWe have taken the outer ring
road project of Hyderabad to compare
The overall budget of this project is 6700cr
In this a 8 lane road of 158km stretch is laid
If a piezoelectric road is laid ……
The budget becomes 6800 cr which is only 1.5% increase in overall budget
Power generation:
Every year 44000 kwhr is generated in one km single lane road.
So if we calculate, 158km x 8 lane x 44000kwhr=55616000
kwhr can be generated.
In general gov of India charge Rs.5 on an avg per 1kwhr ,so by calculation .
5 x 55616000 = Rs.270000000(27 cr)
The amount invested on this road returns in just less than 4 yrs.
The average life of this piezoelectric road is 30years …so the income generated in the next 26 yrs would be a profit.
ADVANTAGESThis is a green solution for
power generation.
The centralization of power is minimized .
Even the most untouched and remote areas can be electrified.
Dependence on thermal electricity is minimized which in turn saves the nature.
Disadvantage
The only disadvantage is that maintenance of these
roads is a bit difficult and constant inspections are to be
made.
This technology is tested in California and Israel and have proved successful.
This is an excellent alternative to reach the increasing demands for electricity.
We conclude that it should be implemented in India also to accelerate the development.