Solar Road Systems
1 May 2005
Revolutionary British Technology Promises a Double Whammy for Motorway Congestion and Global Warming
A revolutionary new British invention that uses the surfaces of motorways to collect and store energy for heating and cooling roads and buildings throughout the year begins an official two year trial adjacent to the M1 near London in June 2005.
Interseasonal Heat Transfer (IHT™ ) invented, developed and patented by London-based sustainable energy firm ICAX Ltd is a low-cost, low-maintenance process that collects solar energy from road systems and stores it in Thermal Banks for use in clearing ice from road surfaces in winter.
This is the first time that solar energy has been recovered from road systems anywhere in the UK. The technology, which uses standard building industry components, will keep winter roads snow and ice free, which means less disruption for road users.
It promises a reduction in motorway congestion through fewer hold-ups caused by accidents and fewer road works.
The technology, which uses simple underground Thermal Banks to store solar energy collected via the asphalt road surface into useable power, could make a significant contribution to reducing global warming by cutting fossil fuel use. It can also extend the life of roads by reducing peak summer temperatures and increasing low winter temperatures at the road surface.
Highways Agency trials, project managed by TRL Limited on a section of road next to the M1 motorway at Toddington Services, Bedfordshire, will last two years.
The trials will use two different methods of collecting and storing energy to demonstrate how Interseasonal Heat Transfer can be used to keep the road free of ice and also simulate heating and cooling of buildings near the motorway.
Mark Hewitt, director of ICAX Ltd said: "The UK is currently in a position to become a global leader in the development and exploitation of this technology."
For further information please contact:
Mark Hewitt
ICAX™ Ltd 020 7253 5981
info@icax.co.uk
Bill Holdsworth
0031 24 388 08 66
holdsworth.phoenix@xs4all.nl
Detailed technical briefing packs for editors from building trades, transport, environmental, energy and other publications are available on request.