Recent Advances in Hybrid Energy Harvesting Technologies Using Roadway Pavements: A Review of the Technical Possibility of Using Piezo-thermoelectrical Combinations

Abstract

Currently, we are facing an energy transition due to pollution and depletion issues related to fossil energy sources. Among all the efforts to develop alternative green energy sources, there are other energy sources that remain unexplored. Ambient energies present on roadway pavements are one example. Thermal energy from solar radiation and the mechanical vibrations induced by passing vehicles are promising ambient energy sources available from roadway pavements. The aim of this study is to examine the existing energy harvesting systems for these ambient energy sources. This paper also summarizes existing study efforts on hybrid (thermal and mechanical vibration) energy harvesting systems in general. This hybrid system can overcome the limitations of a single source-based system as intermittent and low power generation. Energy harvesting technologies can generate green energy without negative environmental impact during the conversion process. This article solely contains references to studies examining the technological feasibility of a road energy harvesting project. Despite their importance, this bibliographic research did not include attempts to address costs, life cycle analyses, or the impact of the systems on the road structure. The reasons for this omission are due to the difficulty of obtaining this information in the scientific literature for comparison with the suggested systems.