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The Abrams Clean Tech Report

From BBC Scotland…Invisible Heating Systems

Tuesday, June 27th, 2006

Now if we had just done this/would just do this with the miles and miles and miles of roadways we have in the U.S….realizing that to do this, one has to tear up a lot of roads in the process and repave…which doesn’t make sense, except where there are roadways already slotted for repaving…

Treehugger posted this news this a.m., and this is a phenomenal little story…I love the creativity of it, and the resourcefulness that went into the thought process.

Road Energy Systems from Scotland’s Invisible Heating

June 27, 2006 12:19 AM – Warren McLaren, Sydney

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

That carpark mentioned in this story can be viewed here:

Patagonia Completes Solar Power Carport

January 25, 2006 12:38 PM – Justin Thomas, Virginia

Patagonia clothing company recently completed the installation of a large solar photovoltaic carport project at its Ventura, California headquarters. The system incorporates 360 Sharp solar panels rated at 185-watts for a combined output of 66.6 kW. The panels are on three custom-built carports erected in the parking lot. The eye-catching structure produces an amount of energy equivalent to the energy used in approximately 60 California homes during peak usage periods and also shades cars during the day, according to the project’s designers.

"Our new solar system proves energy independence can be aesthetically pleasing," said Jill Dumain, Patagonia. "Patagonia believes in using business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis, and our solar solution is just one example of our commitment to that belief."

Story via: Renewable Energy Access

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