Road Energy Systems from Scotland's Invisible Heating
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 06.27.06
We’ve had this story on hold for a few days, waiting for the rain to clear in Scotland. Invisible Heating Systems were planning to post pics of their Road Energy System being laid down in the carpark of their new offices, but had to postpone the work. Now it has gone in.
In essence it is the reverse of under-floor heating. Instead of pumping hot water into a floor, the floor (or road, to be precise) heats the water. Special pipes are laid on top of a grid frame, under the tarmac or asphalt, or whatever it is called in your neck of the woods. Sunlight is absorbed by the wide, black road surface, which boosts the temperature of the water just beneath. This turns roads into massive solar hot water heaters. The idea originated in the Netherlands, where it has been used in flyovers and airports. In Scotland, the hope is that the system will also reduce the use of salt in de-icing roads. In summer cold can be feed through the pipes to cool roads and reduce their level of upkeep. (Not to be confused with the solar carpark that Patagonia installed. )::Invisible Heating Systems, via BBC Scotland
Pretty cool (pun intended).
Anyone have any idea on the payback time for such a scheme?
Good idea in the winter where icy conditions and gravity meet (hills). Can't see this being cost effective, except in special niche areas.
interesting but how long will the pipes last?
Hope I didn't give the impression that this was just for de-icing roads. Primary function is to provide hot water, with a reduction in associated greenhouse gas emissions.
It won't reduce the amount of salt used in the winter, in fact it will make the situation worse if anything.
When do you most need heating? In the winter!
When will you be taking themost heat out of the roads?
In the winter! So you will require more salt to keep the area defrosted.
The opposite is true in the summer.
I think that even in the summer, this heating could be used to heat water. Dont' forget that even when temperatures reach 90, we cool to 70, we still then burn more fuel to heat water back up to 90+...
This may be one of those deals where the specific idea spurs a whole new thought process in the way of recoverables and how to reuse resources.
The power in a concept like this is that there is such a huge amount of paving placed on the earth every year, that finding ways to maximize its use will result in exponential increases.
Similar issues with Geothermal water systems in the way of durability of product, complex installation and estimated payback time.
I say kudos to the Netherlands and Invisible Heating for spearheading the concept. This product has the potential of utilizing an abundance of wasted and even unwanted heat energy.
i cannot imagine that the cost is all that much more. paving a road = big $$$. i would be interested to know what the cost % is vs normal paving. i say this is some decent thinking outside the box.
now, if they could only make PV into roads, our problems would be solved.
A couple of years ago I said to my husband (who hates the heat of the city), "Why can't someone come up with a way to take all that energy that's heating up our city and use it for something we actually want?"
My husband, ever the Humbug, laughed at me, implying that I was stupid. Well, looks like I wasn't the only one with that idea. I mean, if I can use my solar shower to heat my water for a shower in the summer, why not use the road to heat a whole lot of showers?
it's really interesting. but how much does the whole system cost?
Sorry -I did not realise you had responses or enquires - happy to provide this information - how do I contact writer ?
Liz Stewart
Sorry -I did not realise you recieved responses or further enquires - happy to provide this information - how do I contact the writer ?
Liz Stewart
Invisible Heating Systems
I am very curious about this product. I may have an ideal use for it. I am a developer in Colorado, USA and would like to discuss this outside a blog. I have email the company twice and have not yet received a response.
Thanks,
Brad
Bravo for the green road
Kyoto also is now green with www.dcarbon.com
is ready act now
Mirabel Québec Canada
I am also very curious about this product. I may have an ideal use for it. I am a developer in North Carolina, USA and would like to discuss this outside a blog
Our company has been selling INDEKSOLAR heating systems for over 25 years.We can install our tubing in tilt-up walls,retaining walls,sports courts,driveways,parking lots,roads,pool decks,anywhere that you have a thermal mass in the sun.We can heat you pool and domestic hot water demands.