A trial has begun near Heerhugowaard involving flexible solar cells in a crash barrier. This is the first time in the world that a film containing solar cells has been fitted to a crash barrier. Over the coming period, tests will be carried out along the N194 provincial road to assess whether energy can be generated in a safe and sustainable manner for road lighting and variable message signs, or for supply to the electricity grid. The trial will last for one year.
A total of 72 metres of guardrail has been fitted with the special solar film. Solar cells can be built into flexible films in addition to the well-known solar panels. This technology is in full development and the efficiency is improving all the time. Commissioner Elisabeth Post (Mobility) in a TNO press release: "I am enormously proud that we have the first in North Holland. Solar cells on and along our roads increase the possibilities of generating solar energy in new places, using it locally and making smart use of available space."
Practical trial
Recently, the flexible film with solar cells was applied in the double crash barrier next to the provincial road N194 near Heerhugowaard. Two types of foils were used in this trial installation to compare the results: with a width of 37 cm and 50 cm. Installation of the electrical equipment and cable pulling will follow at the end of July. Experience was gained last year with a small pilot setup. This gave confidence to build the trial at the N194, part of project N23 Westfrisiaweg. Now it is waiting for the first results, says TNO: "is and will there be good electricity production? Will the foil continue to function well along a road in all seasons? Can we collect and transport the energy properly, even if, for example, a component fails?" To answer these and other questions, equipment has been installed that collects a lot of data from the pilot and transmits it for analysis. Whether the trial of solar cells on the crash barrier is successful will be known in autumn 2019. The next step will then be to conduct a study on a larger scale, along different types of roads.
Research flexible foils
Flexible films with solar cells are known to be useful for electricity generation. The efficiency is slightly less than that of the well-known solar panels. The application possibilities are much larger and performance is improving rapidly thanks to new developments in materials. The partners are working on several projects to apply flexible foils in a variety of places. They are also working on improved production techniques and new technologies with higher efficiency, which will make solar energy cheaper.
The project is being carried out by the province of North Holland, TNO, Solliance Solar Research, Heijmans, Femtogrid, Hogeschool van Amsterdam and is subsidised by the iDEEGO (innovation Sustainable Energy and Energy Saving Built Environment) scheme of the top sector Energy, facilitated by the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO).
Road surface as energy generator
(Highway) roads have long been the subject of research when it comes to generating energy through solar panels. Last year, for example, noise barriers with solar panels were installed along the A50 near Uden by Rijkswaterstaat. The 400-metre-long noise barrier supplies about 50 households with electricity.
France started 'covering' highways with solar panels a few years ago. The also French company Colas developed the so-called Wattway for this purpose: a road fitted with an ultra-thin layer of silicon to catch the sun's rays. This French company's 'mats' were also installed earlier this year on the provincial road between Kockengen and Portengen in Utrecht. The panels withstand the weight of cars and even trucks and have no slip hazard.
Incidentally, the Netherlands already had the world premiere of an energy-generating road surface a few years ago, namely the Solaroad cycle path in Krommenie, North Holland.
Source: TNO/Wattway.
