Electricity – supply and demand in India

Piezoelectricity – HistoryWorking

Piezoelectric roads- IntroConstructionHarvesting

mechanismSpecifications

Comparison

Advantages

Disadvantages

Conclusion

Electricity 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, discovered byCurie brothers in 1880,originated from the Greekword “piezenin”, meaning, topress.

The original meaning of theword “piezoelectric” implies“Pressure electricity’ –thegeneration of electric fieldfrom applied pressure.

A 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.

Present day we are using asphaltroads(Tar road) on which thousandsof vehicles run on it.

When a vehicle passes over a road,the road deflects vertically(vibrates).

These vibrations are released asthermal energy which is beingwasted.

By incorporating piezoelectricgenerators in the roads we canconvert the vibrations caused by thevehicles into useful electricity.

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.

Generators 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.

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.)

We 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 avgper 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.

This 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.

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.