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.