Taking to the Road? More Power to You

Two inventors explain devices that would allow energy to be harvested along highways and from the highways themselves.

1 minute read

July 27, 2009, 8:00 AM PDT

"Last year Oregon launched a "solar highway" demonstration project with a 104 kilowatt ground-mounted solar array situated at the interchange of Interstates 5 and 205. The array powers about a third of the lights on the interchange. Massachusetts recently announced a plan to install a utility-scale wind turbine – big enough to power 400 households – on land adjacent to the Massachusetts Turnpike's Blandford Rest Area."

"[The inventors] say the solar and wind power generated, given the available incentives, would be cost-competitive with natural gas-fueled power generation.

Whether or not that's overstated remains to be seen, but the Federal Highway Administration does see promise - in general terms - in roadside renewable energy innovations, and it plans to provide funding for various projects."

FULL STORY: Harvesting Clean Energy Along the Road

Thursday, July 23, 2009 in The New York Times

Infrastructure United States Transportation Highways Wind Power Solar Power View More

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