New Energy Uses for Asphalt

SCHARWOUDE, Netherlands—
A Dutch company (Ooms Avenhorn Holding BV, Civil Engineering) has developed a system to siphon heat from roads and parking lots to heat homes and offices. The Road Energy System is being used throughout the country. Energy collected from a 200 yd (183 m) stretch of road and a small parking lot helps heat a 70-unit, four-story apartment building. A 160,000 ft2 (15 000 m2) industrial park is kept warm in winter with the help of heat stored during the summer from 36,000 ft2 (3300 m2) of pavement. The absorption of solar energy by pavement creates an energy source that can be used despite the normally cloudy Dutch skies.

Source: AP