Multi-Physics Fem Model of Solar Hybrid Roads for Energy Harvesting Performance Evaluation in Presence of Semi-Transparent or Opaque Pavement Surface Layer

Abstract

We present in this paper the concept of solar hybrid road and focus on the thermal performances of such system. Main differences between these multi-layer structures with traditional road structures come from the pavement surface, which can be opaque or semi-transparent and the porous sub-layer, submitted to fluid flow. These structures aim at collecting solar energy during the summer season, what helps also to prevent from a too high temperature and urban heat island effect. A finite element model is presented to couple thermal diffusion, hydraulic convection and radiative transfer. This numerical model allows to compute the temperature field for different weather conditions and also to evaluate the thermal performances of the system. Annual simulations are performed and a comparison between two surface layer solutions for different locations and climates is presented and discussed.

Pavement energy harvesting technologies: a critical review

“…In 2017, Le Touz et al [26,27] developed a multi-physics FEM model of multi-layer asphalt pavement for energy harvesting. The system is composed by a semi-transparent (or an asphalt mixture called "opaque") waterproof layer; a porous layer containing a fluid which flows along the width of the road via gravity thanks to the imposed slope; an underlying and a base layer both opaque and waterproof.…”