Comparative Analysis of Energy Harvesting Methods in Transportation

Abstract

AbstractEnergy harvesting from transportation infrastructures has garnered more attention over the past few years. Owning to the severe climate change and depletion of non-renewable resources, it has become pertinent to devise and implement sustainable energy harvesting methods. One of the most energy abundant yet least utilized areas to harvest energy are roads within the transportation infrastructure. There are three common energy forms that energy harvesting methods would rely upon. They are solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy. The objective of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of energy harvesting methods of these three common energy forms within the transportation infrastructure. Each harvesting methodology is compared in terms of applicability, energy source, energy production, challenges, and future use. This study was performed through a review of literature and case studies relating to the respective energy harvesting methods. The research showed current applicability of solar energy harvesting within the transportation infrastructure provides the most benefits in terms of energy production, viability, and maintainability. Currently, research for solar energy harvesting, in general, has significantly outpaced that of thermal energy and mechanical energy harvesting. However, with more research and technological improvements, mechanical energy harvesting has the capability to become the largest energy harvesting method within the transportation infrastructure. This is because the transportation infrastructure is heavily influenced by mechanical loads from vehicles. Overall, more research and testing are needed to solidify these energy harvesting methods and to use them regularly as a renewable energy source within the transportation infrastructure.