Page 44 - European Energy Innovation - Autumn 2016 publication
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44 Autumn 2016 European Energy Innovation
E-MOBILITY
Electric vehicles (EVs): how far
down the track have we come?
How far have we yet to go?
We take a slightly closer look at three developments.
“It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.” – Molière
By Michael Edmund, Editor
One rainy April day in stands ready for its first installations in roadways nevertheless offer the
1906, a man was absent- driveways and car parks. The system prospect of significant reductions in
mindedly crossing the certainly has had its critics, but it GHG emissions.
Rue Dauphine in Paris. He deserves our close attention because
collided with a horse and cart, and the the claims made for it are startling, to And so we come to the EVs themselves
life of Pierre Curie - the Pierre Curie - say the least: a 75% reduction in GHG – or, more particularly, to the batteries
was cut tragically short. In partnership emissions and the facility to recharge that power them. Tesla and Formula e
with his brother Jacques, Monsieur EVS continuously while travelling might have revolutionised the image
Curie had been instrumental in our along it. And the small matter of of the EV, but public acceptance has
early understanding of piezoelectricity, enough clean electricity to power the nevertheless remained relatively low,
although he is probably better known entire planet. This, by the way, from principally because of the weak points
for his collaboration on radioactivity replacing just the tarmac surface of in the EV proposition: the twin issues of
with his wife Marie. The couple worked the United States; and quite apart vehicle range and the time required to
with Henri Becquerel, whose father from any economic and public health recharge the batteries.
Edmond is credited with the discovery consequences of eliminating accidents
of the photovoltaic effect: quite a on frozen roadways. However, with so much at stake
formidable French scientific dynasty, there has been colossal investment
and today these technologies represent Many of us are familiar with using a in novel battery chemistry and
two of the more exciting prospects for piezoelectric device on gas cookers design. Lithium-air batteries appear
our efforts to combat climate change and barbecues: a crystal responds to to approach the energy density of
in general; and for electric mobility in being struck by generating a spark gasoline, while magnesium and
particular. that may be used to light a gas flame. solid state lithium ion variations offer
Recent work from Spain confirms contrasting improvements on the
It was almost four years ago that that integration of piezo devices into existing technology. A new porous
EEI brought you Scott Brusaw’s the asphalt of a roadway is not only stainless steel/thin-film electrolyte
fascinating vision for the incorporation feasible, but likely to prove a cost- hints at extending the interval between
of photovoltaic (PV) technology into effective means of generating useful recharging, while gold nanowires may
roads. His idea comprises an intelligent, electricity. The authors of the study significantly extend overall battery
interlocking modular system of calculate that 10% of the energy life. Meanwhile, the wonder material
tempered glass panels. They may be generated in Madrid could be derived graphene offers perhaps the most
walked over and driven upon; with their from 0.6% of its roads. The technology exciting prospect: a Spanish company
PV capability, they can flash warnings to obviously does not rely upon sunlight, has developed a graphene polymer
cars when pedestrians attempt to cross with the further appeal that the battery that could allow EVs a maximum
or when the surface is freezing; and greater the amount of traffic using range of 800 kilometers (497 miles) and
they can heat themselves to reduce the such roadways, the greater the energy a recharging time of a few minutes.
risk that might pose. Four years ago, recovered from them. However, piezo
Solar Roadways was little more than technology is not yet as advanced as This brings the argument full circle.
a working prototype, but two funding the solar roadway solution, while the Solar roadways can put useful
contracts have since been completed laws of physics of course remain in electricity into the road system, and
with the U.S. Government, with a third force, making it impossible to extract piezo roadways can reduce the energy
being awarded in November 2015. The more energy from the technology than lost from it. Each requires substantial
concept has been proved; and today is put into it by traffic. Piezo-enabled investment in the road network; each
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