Subsurface energy storage system with integrated energy storage unit and related methods

Abstract

The subsurface energy storage system includes roadway housings arranged to define a surface for vehicles to travel on. Each roadway housing has an energy storage assembly having a housing defining a cavity and an energy storage unit mounted and electrically coupled to each of the housings within the cavity. Each roadway housing also includes at least one layer over the energy storage assembly to provide a surface for vehicles to travel on. The subsurface energy storage system also includes an energy storage management controller coupled to the energy storage units within the roadway housings.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of road construction, and more particularly to road energy storage systems and related methods. [Background technology]

[0002] This application is based on a prior co-pending application, Ser. No. 63 / 269,187, filed on March 11, 2022, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] The world has limited natural resources. In fact, many of these natural resources, such as hydrocarbon fuels, cannot be replenished and will take years, decades, or even centuries to replenish. To such an extent that the world has become so dependent on hydrocarbon fuels, they are depleting at an alarming rate and may run out completely at some point. As the supply of hydrocarbon fuels continues to deplete, the demand continues to increase. This condition will eventually lead to the cost of acquiring these hydrocarbon fuels becoming prohibitive. Furthermore, the use of hydrocarbon fuels produces greenhouse gases, which negatively impacts the environment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In general, the subsurface energy storage system includes a plurality of roadway housings arranged to define a surface for vehicles to travel on. Each roadway housing includes an energy storage assembly including a housing defining a plurality of cavities therein and a plurality of energy storage units mounted respectively within the plurality of cavities and electrically coupled to each other. Each roadway housing also includes at least one layer over the energy storage assembly to provide a surface for vehicles to travel on. The subsurface energy storage system also includes an energy storage management controller coupled to the plurality of energy storage units in the plurality of roadway housings.

[0005] In particular, the housing may define a plurality of channels about its periphery. Each roadway housing may further include a drainage channel below the energy storage assembly and a support assembly below the drainage channel. The support assembly may include a support layer abutting the drainage channel and a plurality of vertical legs extending from the support layer.

[0006] In some embodiments, at least one layer may include a transducer layer configured to generate energy from traffic on a surface on which the vehicles travel and coupled to an energy storage management controller. Each roadway housing may further include a distribution conduit coupled to the energy storage assembly.

[0007] Also, the housing may define at least one longitudinal cavity, and the energy storage assembly may include at least one charging device within the at least one longitudinal cavity. The at least one layer may define a surface on which the vehicle travels and include an overlayer including at least one visual indicator provided by the overlayer for the surface on which the vehicle travels, or a heating element layer for deicing the surface on which the vehicle travels. For example, each of the plurality of energy storage units includes one of a battery and a capacitor.

[0008] Another aspect is directed to a roadway housing device for a subsurface energy storage system arranged to define a surface for vehicles to travel on, each roadway housing comprising an energy storage assembly including a housing defining a plurality of cavities therein and a plurality of energy storage units mounted respectively within the plurality of cavities and electrically coupled to each other, the roadway housing device further including at least one layer over the energy storage assembly to provide a surface for vehicles to travel on, and an energy storage management controller coupled to the energy storage assembly.

[0009] Yet another aspect is directed to a method for manufacturing an underground energy storage system. The method includes arranging a plurality of roadway housings to define a surface for traveling vehicles. Each roadway housing includes an energy storage assembly including a housing defining a plurality of cavities therein and a plurality of energy storage units mounted respectively within the plurality of cavities and electrically coupled to each other. Each roadway housing also includes at least one layer over the energy storage assembly to provide a surface for traveling vehicles. The method also includes coupling an energy storage management controller to the plurality of energy storage units in the plurality of roadway housings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a roadway energy storage system in accordance with the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a roadway energy storage system in accordance with the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a roadway energy storage system in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a roadway energy storage system in accordance with the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of a roadway energy storage system in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a subsurface energy storage system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roadway housing from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the roadway housing from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an outer housing from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. [Figure 10]FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an outer housing from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inner housing from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an inner housing from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inner housing and energy storage unit from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a support layer from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a roadway housing from a subsurface energy storage system according to the present disclosure taken along line 15-15. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a roadway housing from a subsurface energy storage system according to the present disclosure taken along line 16-16. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a subsurface energy storage system in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an access port from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an access port from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. 17 having a lateral extension. [Figure 20] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an access port from the subsurface energy storage system of FIG. 17 having a vertical extension. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Renewable energy can include, for example, hydroelectric, wind, solar, thermal, and tidal. These sources of generation are in close proximity to natural resources. Much of this energy generated is fed into the grid during periods of low demand, and the energy generated may be lost, unused, and / or wasted due to lack of storage capacity. One of the current needs in the renewable energy production sector is more energy storage approaches.

[0012] In addition to replacing hydrocarbon fuels with renewable energies, it would also be beneficial to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) instead of cars powered by hydrocarbon fuels. These vehicles are the future of public transport, but so far there are many obstacles to their widespread acceptance in society, such as limited charging stations and the so-called "range anxiety."

[0013] With the advent of sensor technology, we are seeing a number of roadway enhancements to wirelessly charge electric vehicles and alert drivers to road hazards such as accidents and traffic stops. There are several approaches to roads that integrate solar power, helping to generate electricity at the road surface. These are great concepts and ideas, but without a national "storage grid", solar-powered roads can only distribute the energy they collect to the local power grid. Also, road sensors and wireless charging solutions for roads rely on the power grid to continue to operate.

[0014] The disclosed Road Energy Storage System (RESS) is an approach that provides an available place to store grid energy when demand is low and feed it back when demand increases. The same concept applies to renewable energy sources. With accessible storage below the road surface, no energy is wasted, meaning all energy has a place to be stored until it is needed. Just as today's roads have High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, the time is coming for EV charging lanes. EVs can be charged non-stop on the way to their destination without having to stop once for long distance rides.

[0015] With more energy storage options available, renewable energy could become more widely accepted as a profitable source of energy production. The need is great and the amount of road surface across the country and around the world provides endless opportunities for energy storage locations.

[0016] The present disclosure will now be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and 100-based reference numbers are used to indicate like elements in alternative embodiments.

[0017] Referring first to FIG. 1, a roadway energy storage system 100 according to the present invention will be described. As will be appreciated, the roadway energy storage system 100 serves as a roadway for vehicles to travel on. The roadway energy storage system 100 includes a plurality of roadway housings 101a-101n arranged, illustratively, in a 5×8 grid. Each roadway housing 101a-101n comprises a modular structure defining a cavity therein. As will be appreciated, the modularity of the plurality of roadway housings 101a-101n allows for customization of the installed arrangement to fit a roadway. Furthermore, if any portion of the roadway energy storage system 100 requires repair, the damaged modular roadway housings 101a-101n can be easily replaced.

[0018] The modular structure includes side walls and a removable top cover with a lower surface facing the cavity and an upper surface defining a surface on which the vehicle travels. The modular structure may include a resilient, mechanically strong material, such as, for example, a polymer plastic (e.g., HDPE), a resin material, a ceramic material, a fabric material, etc. The modular structure may be compliant with Department of Transportation regulations regarding road surfaces. For example, the upper surface may have a threshold anti-skid function.

[0019] The roadway energy storage system 100 comprises a plurality of energy storage units 102a-102n mounted within cavities of a plurality of roadway housings 101a-101n, respectively, and electrically coupled to each other. Each of the plurality of energy storage units 102a-102n may comprise, for example, at least one of a lithium ion battery cell device, an assembly of individual lithium ion battery cells, a nickel cadmium battery cell device, or a capacitive-based energy storage device. In some embodiments, the cavities are sized to receive one or more standard-sized battery cells (i.e., commercially available, off-the-shelf battery cells). Beneficially, commercially available, off-the-shelf battery cells may be used in the roadway energy storage system 100.

[0020] In particular, the roadway energy storage system 100 illustratively comprises a plurality of channels 103a-103n extending between a plurality of roadway housings 101a-101n. Each of the plurality of channels 103a-103n may comprise the same elastic, mechanically strong material of modular construction. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of channels 103a-103n is permanently sealed, and in other embodiments, each of the plurality of channels 103a-103n includes a removable top for access during maintenance operations.

[0021] The roadway energy storage system 100 includes conductive connections coupled between a plurality of energy storage units 102a-102n, each of which is supported by a plurality of channels 103a-103n. For example, each of the plurality of conductive connections may include a conductive wire. In some embodiments, the roadway energy storage system 100 includes electrical connections for coupling to a power grid infrastructure.

[0022] The road energy storage system 100 includes a plurality of drainage features 104a-104b between the plurality of road housings 101a-101n. In some embodiments, the plurality of drainage features 104a-104b are also provided within the plurality of channels 103a-103n, respectively. In other embodiments, the plurality of drainage features 104a-104b are separate from the plurality of channels 103a-103n. As will be appreciated, the plurality of drainage mechanisms 104a-104b are configured to direct storm water and ice melt from the road surface to an existing storm water system. In some embodiments, the plurality of channels 103a-103n are configured to provide additional system mechanisms, such as sewer / drainage, water, telecommunications, gas, etc.

[0023] The roadway energy storage system 100 further includes an energy storage management system (e.g., an illustrated battery management system (BMS) 105) coupled to the plurality of energy storage units. The energy storage management system 105 is configured to monitor a plurality of battery health characteristics of the plurality of energy storage units 102a-102n. The energy storage management system 105 is configured to provide active / passive load balancing for the plurality of energy storage units 102a-102n based on full current control.

[0024] In some embodiments, the roadway energy storage system 100 comprises a plurality of heating elements disposed with a plurality of roadway housings 101a-101n, respectively. The heating elements are configured to heat the roadway surface to prevent ice formation. The heating elements may be powered via a plurality of energy storage units 102a-102n.

[0025] In some embodiments, the roadway energy storage system 100 includes a power conversion circuit configured to convert direct current (DC) power from the multiple energy storage units 102a-102n into alternating current (AC) power. For example, the AC power can be transmitted to a power grid infrastructure.

[0026] The roadway energy storage system 100 includes a controller 106 coupled to an energy storage management system 105. The controller 106 may include an integrated circuit device and is configured to provide energy management system functions, supervisory control and data acquisition system functions, and charge balancing functions.

[0027] In some embodiments, the roadway energy storage system 100 comprises a wireless charging mechanism provided on a top surface of the plurality of roadway housings 101a-101n. The wireless charging mechanism is configured to charge the electric vehicle while traveling over the roadway energy storage system 100. In some embodiments, the roadway energy storage system 100 comprises a plug-in charging station adjacent to the road surface. The plug-in charging station is powered by a combination of a power infrastructure grid and the plurality of energy storage units 102a-102n.

[0028] With further reference now to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the roadway energy storage system 200 will be described. In this embodiment of the roadway energy storage system 200, the elements described above with respect to FIG. 1 are expanded from 100, and most do not need to be further described here. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this roadway energy storage system 200 illustratively includes a different grid structure. In particular, the outer rows of the grid structure do not include energy storage units within the respective cavities of the multiple roadway housings 201a-201n. In this embodiment, the empty cavities can be used to house the circuitry of the energy storage management system 205 and the controller 206. In some applications, structures for storm water and other mechanisms can be housed within the empty cavities.

[0029] Further referring now to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the roadway energy storage system 300 will be described. In this embodiment of the roadway energy storage system 300, the elements described above with respect to FIG. 1 are expanded from 200, and most do not need to be further described here. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this roadway energy storage system 300 illustratively includes an EV charging rail 307. The EV charging rail 307 is positioned to align with a desired vehicle traffic lane for charging EVs traveling on the roadway energy storage system 300 (i.e., providing an EV charging lane on the road). The roadway energy storage system 300 illustratively includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells 310a-310g adjacent to a plurality of energy storage units 302a-302n. For example, the plurality of photovoltaic cells 310a-310g include photovoltaic cells. The plurality of photovoltaic cells 310a-310g are configured to generate a DC power signal to charge the plurality of energy storage units 302a-302n. The roadway energy storage system 300 illustratively includes a number of drain ports 308a-b dispersed throughout.

[0030] With further reference now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the roadway energy storage system 400 will be described. In this embodiment of the roadway energy storage system 400, the elements described above with respect to FIG. 1 are expanded from 300, and most do not need to be further described here. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this roadway energy storage system 400 illustratively includes a plurality of visual display devices 411a-411n (e.g., light emitting diode (LED) indicators as shown) between the plurality of roadway housings 401a-401n. The plurality of visual display devices 411a-411n are configured to generate visual displays (i.e., navigation of road signal displays) for drivers of vehicles traveling on the roadway energy storage system 400.

[0031] With further reference now to Fig. 5, another embodiment of a roadway energy storage system 500 will be described. In this embodiment of the roadway energy storage system 500, the elements described above with respect to Fig. 1 are expanded from 400, and most do not need to be further described here. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this roadway energy storage system 500 illustratively includes a plurality of channels 503a-503n in a grid format between each roadway housing 501a-501n and each roadway housing 501a-501n.

[0032] 6-8, the subsurface energy storage system 600 comprises a plurality of roadway housings 601a-601n arranged to define a surface 602 for traveling vehicles. It should be understood that the subsurface energy storage system 600 may be integrated into a variety of surface applications, such as, for example, highways, roadways, embankments, shoulders, sidewalks, etc. In the illustrated example, the plurality of roadway housings 601a-601n includes five individual units, although it should be understood that the number and arrangement may vary from application to application.

[0033] 9-13, each roadway housing 601a-601n includes an energy storage assembly 603 including a housing 604. The housing 604 may include a rigid material having sufficient mechanical strength for the application. In particular, the housing 604 illustratively includes an inner housing 605 and an outer housing 606 surrounding the inner housing. The outer housing 606 illustratively defines a number of channels 607a-607d around its periphery and an inner recess 608 that accommodates the inner housing 605. The multiple channels 607a-607d may provide conduits for routing cables (e.g., electrical and data transmission) within the energy storage assembly 603. The inner housing 605 defines a number of cavities 610a-610n therein.

[0034] As best shown in Figure 10, the outer housing 606 illustratively defines a plurality of exterior passages 611a-611f between the plurality of channels 607a-607d and an exterior surface of the outer housing to provide external wiring access. As best shown in Figures 11-12, the inner housing 605 illustratively defines a plurality of interior passages 612a-612h between the plurality of cavities 610a-610n to provide wiring access therebetween.

[0035] Each road housing 601a-601n illustratively comprises a plurality of energy storage units 613a-613n mounted within a plurality of cavities 610a-610n, respectively, and electrically coupled to each other. In some embodiments, the plurality of cavities 610a-610n are digitally coupled by a data connection or mechanically coupled. For example, each of the plurality of energy storage units 613a-613n comprises one of a battery and a capacitor.

[0036] The inner housing 605 also illustratively defines first and second longitudinal cavities 614a-614b between the multiple cavities 610a-610n and an intermediate channel 615 between the first and second longitudinal cavities to provide additional wiring access. The energy storage assembly 603 illustratively includes first and second charging devices 616a-616b (e.g., wireless charging antennas or physical connection rails and arms) within the first and second longitudinal cavities 614a-614b. In other embodiments, the first and second charging devices 616a-616b may include a single charging device.

[0037] 14, each roadway housing 601a-601n further comprises a drainage channel 617 below the energy storage assembly 603, and a support assembly 620 below the drainage channel. The drainage channel 617 illustratively comprises a rectangular box having a central longitudinal passageway and may comprise a rigid material, such as concrete or a metal material. The support assembly 620 illustratively comprises a support layer 621 adjacent the drainage channel 617 and a plurality of vertical legs 622a-622d (i.e., piles) extending from the support layer. The support assembly 620 may comprise a rigid material, such as concrete.

[0038] The subsurface energy storage system 600 also includes an energy storage management controller 623 coupled to the plurality of energy storage units 613a-613n in the plurality of roadway housings 601a-601n. As will be appreciated, the energy storage management controller 623 may include a battery management unit.

[0039] 8, each roadway housing 601a-601n illustratively comprises a number of layers 624a-624d over an energy storage assembly 603 to provide a vehicle traveling surface 602. In some embodiments, one or more of the number of layers 624a-624d may include a transducer layer configured to generate energy from traffic on the vehicle traveling surface 602 and coupled to an energy storage management controller 623.

[0040] In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of layers 624a-624d may include an overlayer defining the vehicle travel surface 602 and may include at least one visual indicator for the vehicle travel surface (e.g., LED traffic control light) carried by the overlayer. In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of layers 624a-624d may include a heating element layer for deicing the vehicle travel surface 602.

[0041] Yet another aspect is directed to a method for manufacturing a subsurface energy storage system 600. The method includes disposing a plurality of roadway housings 601a-601n to define a surface 602 for traveling vehicles. Each roadway housing 601a-601n includes an energy storage assembly 603 including a housing 604 defining a plurality of cavities 610a-610n therein and a plurality of energy storage units 613a-613n mounted within the plurality of cavities, respectively, and electrically coupled to each other. Each roadway housing 601a-601n includes a plurality of layers 624a-624d on the energy storage assembly 603 to provide a surface 602 for traveling vehicles. The method also includes coupling an energy storage management controller 623 to the plurality of energy storage units 613a-613n within the plurality of roadway housings 601a-601n.

[0042] With further reference to Figures 15-16, another embodiment of the roadway housing 701 will now be described. In this embodiment of the roadway housing 701, the elements already described with respect to Figures 6-14 are expanded from 100, most of which need not be further described here. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this roadway housing 701 illustratively includes multiple layers on top of the energy storage assembly 703 to provide additional functionality. Proceeding sequentially downwards, the top layer of the multiple layers includes a cured resin layer 725 for providing a surface 702 on which the vehicle runs. The next layer of the multiple layers includes a photovoltaic (PV) cell layer 726. The PV cell layer 726 includes multiple PV cells coupled to an energy storage management controller 723. The next layer of the multiple layers includes a heating element layer 727. The heating element layer 727 may include a resistive heating element carried by a thermally conductive carrier layer. The heating element layer 727 is configured to transmit thermal radiation upwardly through the PV cell layer 726 and the cured resin layer 725 to de-ice the surface 702 upon which the vehicle travels.

[0043] The next layer of the layers comprises a sensing layer 730. The sensing layer 730 may include a plurality of position sensing circuits configured to monitor the movement of the vehicle on the surface 702. In some embodiments, the plurality of position sensing circuits cooperate with the energy storage management controller 723 to share data with autonomous driving hardware within the vehicle. The next layer of the layers includes a conductive fabric layer 731, and a fiberglass layer 732. The fiberglass layer 732 is placed on top of the housing 704.

[0044] With further reference to Figures 17-20, another embodiment of a subsurface energy storage system 800 will now be described. In this embodiment of the subsurface energy storage system 800, the elements already described with respect to Figures 6-15 are expanded from 200, most of which need not be further described here. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this subsurface energy storage system 800 illustratively includes a roadway housing 801 having first and second distribution conduits 833a-b coupled to an energy storage assembly 803. The first and second distribution conduits 833a-b extend along the longitudinal edges of the subsurface energy storage system 800.

[0045] As best seen in FIG. 18, each of the first and second distribution conduits 833a-833b illustratively includes a plurality of access ports 834a-834b. In some applications, such as shown in FIG. 19, one of the first and second distribution conduits 833a-833b illustratively includes a lateral extension 835 coupled to one of the plurality of access ports 834a-834b. In other applications, such as shown in FIG. 20, one of the first and second distribution conduits 833a-833b illustratively includes a vertical extension 837 coupled to one of the plurality of access ports 834a-834b. It should be understood that features of the roadway energy storage systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 may be combined with the subsurface energy storage systems 600, 700, 800, and vice versa.

[0046] An exemplary embodiment of a subsurface energy storage system 600 is described below.

[0047] As new technologies and vehicle options continue to be developed in the transportation sector, it may be desirable and necessary to incorporate these into existing asphalt roadways. Opening a road to accommodate all these technologies individually would become increasingly difficult, and the road would be "sliced" and resemble Swiss cheese. As a result, many municipalities and / or road agencies mandate that all road / asphalt repairs must be performed "curb-to-curb" whenever a road is opened for construction or work, leading to increased costs associated with correcting, improving, or altering existing roadways.

[0048] One advantage of the modular, multi-layered roadway approach is that after it is installed, it provides the means to adapt or adjust the layers needed to replace the old / existing asphalt roadway and the single, independent, modularized layer without making incremental changes to the actual roadway, thereby eliminating road regulation triggers and costly clearing / excavation and repairs.

[0049] This provides flexibility, adaptability, scalability and modularity without the need for extensive, expensive and intrusive infrastructure modifications without the need for asphalt repair or replacement, thereby bringing further benefits of the new technology to society and / or transportation agencies or municipalities.

[0050] Energy Solutions In some embodiments of RESS, the road platform may capture renewable energy from solar panels placed on the road surface, pressure plate mechanisms that capture energy from the weight of the moving vehicle, and various other forms of energy capture sources. RESS can also store the captured energy in an energy storage unit (ESU) available "on-board." Not only is energy creation and storage important, but the transmission of existing and future energy sources is also important, which requires the development and maintenance of large infrastructures (i.e. wiring for electricity, piping for hydrogen).

[0051] In one embodiment of the RESS, the RESS includes an energy transmission layer that accommodates various energy transmission means. Interconnected road segments provide isolated channels to accommodate the transmission mechanisms (e.g., conduits, pipes, etc.). Another embodiment stores energy in an energy storage layer, which can be utilized for overhead road lighting or advertising (e.g., motorized signs).

[0052] Surface Solutions In addition to a shortage of drivers to deliver goods and services, colder states and regions are experiencing a shortage of drivers to operate snowplows to remove snow. This shortage is a concern for all transportation agencies as roads become covered in snow and need to be cleared and potentially treated with anti-skid agents (such as salt, sand, or brine solutions) to provide a safe driving surface for traveling traffic. Fewer snowplow operators can result in unsafe roads and many accidents and fatalities.

[0053] In one embodiment of RESS, the RESS includes a surface layer that combines precipitation and temperature sensors with heating elements that are specifically designed to turn on and operate when needed to melt frozen precipitation on the roadway. This prevents snow and ice buildup and provides a non-slip surface during snowstorms, reducing or eliminating the need for snow removal. This allows transportation agencies to focus manpower where it is needed in the community. This collaborative effort of the modular RESS and local agencies can fill the driver shortage gap and provide a higher level of safety to the motoring public than is currently the case.

[0054] Telematics Solutions The delivery of goods and services around the world requires vehicles and a large number of people to operate those vehicles. As such, there is currently a shortage of manpower available to operate this ever-growing fleet of vehicles. This shortage has caused problems in the delivery of goods and services, and the lack of drivers has led to rising delivery costs based on demand and supply. To fill this large and growing gap, automakers are moving towards autonomous or self-driving vehicles for personal use as well as large trucking fleets. While testing is taking place, there are certainly concerns about the safety of a fleet of vehicles using the roads without a person physically in the vehicle to operate or intervene in the event of an abnormal situation.

[0055] Many autonomous vehicles rely on satellite technology, which has limitations based on cloud cover, weather effects, or overhead obstacles that may prevent communication with the vehicle. In addition to the evolution toward autonomous vehicles, the number of manually driven vehicles also continues to increase, causing traffic congestion and road accidents.

[0056] In an embodiment of RESS, the RESS includes a sensor layer that can communicate with autonomous and manual vehicles providing valuable data that can be incorporated into an advanced traffic management system (TMS). The TMS can help the autonomous vehicle or operator navigate the roads by knowing the speed of the vehicle ahead, adjusting speed based on road conditions, and regulating traffic so that vehicles can flow more smoothly. Additionally, the sensor technology layer eliminates issues caused by overhead obstacles or weather-related impacts on communication with the vehicle.

[0057] In one embodiment of the RESS, the RESS includes a sensor layer with sensors that provide the ability to monitor overall road usage and vehicle weight. This information can be used to allocate road usage fees and toll collection fees. This sensor information can also be used to estimate the relative timing of when maintenance is required. Another embodiment of the sensor layer incorporates sensors that monitor vehicle speed. This information can be used by authorities regarding speeding violations. Another embodiment of the sensor layer incorporates embedded LED or similar lights. Within each layer, these lights can be programmed to show valuable static traffic information such as road names, speed limits, etc. Combined with the TMS, these lights can provide dynamic information based on ever-changing conditions such as lane closures, detours, and general road hazards.

[0058] Another embodiment of the sensor layer is that it provides road information directly to the vehicle, which can be displayed on the vehicle's internal display and alert the operator (i.e., lane closures, detours, etc.). In one embodiment of RESS, the RESS includes a sensor layer that provides specific location-dependent information to the operator. For example, based on the vehicle's location, it is envisioned that nearby local businesses can pay a fee to advertise their products and services to passing vehicles, which information is then displayed on the vehicle's internal display. Another embodiment of the sensor layer can provide specific channels to accommodate embedded wire guidance, etc., which the car can use for alignment purposes while traveling down the road, thereby eliminating the need for GPS and other means of monitoring and adjusting the vehicle's path.

[0059] Referring initially to FIG. 14, the RESS comprises a foundation layer with footings / piles that are designed and constructed to accommodate local variables that will be encountered when existing and proposed roadways are modified to accommodate the RESS and support the installation of the RESS. These variables include soil conditions and geology, local groundwater levels, seismic activity, etc., which may affect the operation of the roadway. A design is performed to determine the required foundation layer thickness, footing depth, footing flexibility, vibration performance, etc., to protect a fully installed and operational RESS.

[0060] In the construction of buildings, bridges, infrastructure, etc., the importance of foundations and footings cannot be overstated. The entire weight and load of the structure rests on this foundation, which must have the necessary structure designed to withstand years and centuries. If designed correctly, there will be no failure of this important aspect of the RESS, which will support the entire load of the innovation and the weight load of vehicles moving along the surface for many years to come.

[0061] The failure mechanisms of various soil conditions must be considered to compensate for local area seismicity. Liquefiable and non-liquefiable soils have significant differences in how they cope with various loads. These considerations are taken into account during the design and construction of the footings / piles.

[0062] Similar to the existing roads on which the vehicles travel, the asphalt layer on which the vehicles travel is supported by multiple layers of stones of various roughness, along with a finished concrete or asphalt layer. All these intermediate layers rest on a foundation base that rests on the earth bed. The foundation layer of the RESS will be placed on the same foundation as the current road, with further support by piles / footings to increase the stability of the foundation layer. Based on the stability of the foundation, the foundation layer will be designed to the optimum thickness required to support the weight load of the RESS innovation and the additional load of the vehicular traffic moving along the RESS surface. The combination of the scaffolding / piles and foundation layer provides a form of redundancy and safety, providing confidence in the long life of the innovation once full-scale operations begin.

[0063] Referring to Figure 8, the RESS comprises a drainage storage reservoir to capture all forms of precipitation, rain, snow, sleet, etc., once it is "melted" to a liquid phase. The drainage storage reservoir is placed on top of a base layer and anchored to this base layer for stability of the system. This drainage storage reservoir configuration is designed to incorporate structural support throughout the reservoir to accommodate the weight load of the roadway surface.

[0064] As these reservoirs fill, the liquid contents are transported from one RESS unit to an adjacent unit to balance or equalize the levels of these storage reservoirs and store the liquid for future distribution to receiving water bodies, irrigation needs, or the needs of local water authorities under low water or drought conditions. The primary benefit of the liquid storage function of RESS is to minimize and / or eliminate localized flooding of roadways that can cause "hydroplaning" conditions that can create dangerous driving conditions for motorists using the roadways. Offloading of the contents of these discharge storage reservoirs can be controlled through various pipes, pumps, and valves to local receiving water bodies, where local water levels are monitored and those receiving water bodies are not over capacity to flood levels. Based on a network of RESS, there is potentially sufficient storage capacity to hold these captured liquids sustainably, and they can be discharged and offloaded at a flow rate that allows those waters to dissipate naturally into the local groundwater levels to prevent localized flooding.

[0065] 9-10, the RESS includes a base housing assembly and cable channel, which provides an "open tray" configuration for housing RESS operating modules of various designs. Additionally, the base housing assembly and cable channel provide the primary system for connection and communication with adjacent RESSes, internal connection to the RESS operating modules and to the external power grid. The cable channel houses data lines, AC cables and connectors, DC cables and connectors, isolation switches / circuit breakers, etc., and serves to link the RESS to multiple units and / or the local power grid.

[0066] The base housing assembly and the cable channel assembly have numerous "punch-outs" internally and externally, which allow interconnection with the operating modules of the RESS and to connect or disconnect the operating modules from the base housing assembly and the cable channel for installation purposes and / or extraction and replacement of defective units or general preventive maintenance of these operating modules. The "punch-outs" can also be used to connect individual RESS units to adjacent RESS units and to entire systems of multiple RESS units. These available "punch-outs" can also be used to connect the RESS to external power sources such as the national power grid system or a renewable energy source local to the RESS unit. These "punch-outs" can also be used to "feed" data transmission cables, such as optical fibers, to the cable channel and the operating modules of the RESS.

[0067] The base housing assembly and cable channel are placed directly over the drainage storage reservoir and secured to this unit, providing stability for the overall innovation. Sufficient gaskets and / or sealing systems are installed to adequately isolate and protect the base housing assembly, cable channel, and RESS operating unit from contact with moisture and / or water that may affect the safe operation of the RESS.

[0068] 8-10, the RESS according to the present invention comprises an operational module of the RESS. The operational module of the RESS is composed of various cavities and / or compartments that house a number of ESUs of different configurations. The compartments of the operational module of the RESS have interconnecting channels or ducts to allow the connection of a number of ESUs with cables to connect them to each other and to an on-board Energy Management System (EMS).

[0069] The operational module will include cavities and / or compartments to house the numerous control systems and monitor the RESS's components and sensor technology. The operational module of the RESS will include cavities and / or compartments to house advanced EV charging technologies, such as wireless, full contact with a "pick-up" charging rail, or other advanced charging methods for EVs that may be developed in the future.

[0070] The RESS operating module includes interconnecting channels or ducts that allow multiple RESSs to be connected to ESUs on the road. The number of RESS units that can be interconnected and the size of the energy storage grid on the road depend on the type of ESUs individually included in the RESS and the available storage capacity of the ESUs used.

[0071] An important consideration in the design of RESS units is the recognition that although these systems are designed to operate for extended periods of time, like all electronic devices, at some point maintenance will be required, whether In Situ or "Off Site". The ability to maintain these units individually without having to shut down or disable entire miles of roads or communities so that the unit can be serviced is important. As such, these RESS units are constructed such that the base housing assembly and the external channel in the cable channel house the power distribution network to which the operational module connects. The main / domestic power grid or internal DC energy grid has an isolation switch / circuit breaker that can be activated manually on the unit or done remotely using Bluetooth or a data transmission cable to shut down and disable and "shut off" the operational module, or fully de-energize and open the unit in place to repair it, or "unplug" and remove the module from the base housing assembly and cable channel, insert and plug in a fully functional replacement module, turn on the isolation switch / circuit breaker and the replacement unit immediately communicates with the network and performs the configuration steps to add this operational module to the network / system / grid. This process, and the unique features of the RESS unit, will minimise road downtime and inconvenience to the motoring public when the unit is 'switched over'.

[0072] Adding new sensor technology that is "standalone" and not integrated into the RESS surface layer means that, if maintenance is required, it will be necessary to excavate and extract the defective sensor or cable from the road for repair / replacement. As previously mentioned, these types of operations would prove highly impractical if a full "curb-to-curb" asphalt restoration was required every time the existing asphalt was cut. This is a key fact that has been taken into account in the development and design of the RESS operating module and its plug-and-play configuration.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 13, the RESS comprises an operational module of the RESS having samples of ESUs inserted into available cavities and / or compartments. The operational module of the RESS includes cushioning units that support the operational module when positioned and installed in the base housing assembly and cable channel. These cushioning units are designed to absorb most of the vibrations caused by traffic moving along the surface of the RESS, minimizing or eliminating damage to the ESUs and control systems contained in the operational module.

[0074] The RESS comprises an operational module of the RESS with the ESU inserted into the cavity and / or compartment. With reference to Figures 7-8, the RESS can be modified as needed to accommodate any local conditions that the RESS is designed to implement. The RESS shows several surface layers that are incorporated into the RESS to provide additional functionality and benefits to the roads and the traffic and drivers that utilize them.

[0075] The layer proposed to be incorporated under this innovation could incorporate innovative renewable energy technologies such as road solar panels that capture solar energy from sunlight that comes into contact with the road surface. This captured energy can then be transmitted to the ESUs onboard the RESS or distributed to the off-site power grid, as required.

[0076] The layers proposed to be incorporated under this innovation could incorporate innovative renewable energy technologies such as pressure plates that capture energy from the weight of vehicles moving on the road surface. This captured energy can then be transmitted to the ESUs onboard the RESS or distributed to the off-site power grid, as required.

[0077] The layer proposed to be incorporated under this innovation can incorporate heating elements to maintain the surface temperature of the road surface above freezing levels and allow all precipitation that falls on the road to remain in liquid phase and be transferred off the road surface from the on-board wastewater storage reservoir to an off-site local receiving body of water. The layer proposed to be incorporated under this innovation can incorporate a variety of current and future sensor technologies to enable the smart road to interact with the driver to inform them of roadway delays, impending safety hazards of obstacles on the road, etc.

[0078] The RESS surface and / or top layer includes embedded lighting elements that may be utilized to create lines to delineate lanes of traffic, lane change restrictions, impending lane closures for potential roadwork and / or road maintenance, etc. RESS road surfaces provide a surface that provides the necessary and required friction / traction, holds moving vehicles to the road surface, and provides the required stopping distance when braking, as mandated by all local, state and federal transportation agencies and standards organizations.

[0079] With reference to FIG. 5, the RESS includes alternative configurations of the RESS operating module that provide more surface drainage ports or openings and allow better off-load drainage to feed into an on-board drainage storage reservoir. The RESS includes alternative configurations of the RESS operating module that provide alternative configurations of cavities and / or compartments to accommodate different size ESUs, allowing more or fewer ESUs to maximize the amount of energy storage allowed per RESS that can be designed and configured. The RESS includes alternative configurations of the RESS operating module and provides alternative cable channels or ducts to interconnect the ESUs and to connect to an on-board control system that monitors, charges, or discharges the ESUs.

[0080] Referring to Figure 3, the RESS shows the general configuration and layout of on-board roadway solar panels on the roadway surface layer of the RESS. The RESS incorporates a variety of electric vehicle charging options, including the option of using wireless charging plates and a second option that incorporates charging rails that are in direct contact with charging "pickups" attached to electric vehicles that move along the surface of the RESS. The flexibility of the RESS enables innovative electric vehicle charging options in the future.

[0081] Referring to Figures 15-16, the RESS has alternative layouts that can be designed or constructed based on local available conditions. In these figures, if the existing foundation is adequately compacted and there is no potential for seismic activity, the RESS can be placed directly on the existing road foundation, potentially eliminating the need for an engineered foundation. These options are based on site-specific decisions made when location variables are compiled and the design calculated.

[0082] Referring to Figure 7, the RESS is fully constructed and prepared for service. Once the RESS is in place, all necessary preparations must be made to mill or excavate the existing roadway so that the surface of the RESS will match the elevation of the adjacent roadway and / or shoulder. In some cases, the RESS may simply be laid over the existing roadway, with no milling and / or excavation required; here, the existing roadway provides the foundation necessary to support the RESS. These decisions are determined through interaction with local variables and local transportation officials and agencies, and comply with local, state, or federal requirements.

[0083] Referring to Figure 6, the RESS is constructed and prepared for service, with multiple systems installed to comprise the energy storage system grid. As multiple systems are interconnected and based on the stiffness of the system, expansion joints and joints must be designed and installed between the RESS plates to allow for proper expansion and contraction of the subgrade during seasonal changes and temperature changes that affect soil conditions from freeze / thaw cycles. Expansion joints allow for slight movement of the system without causing excessive deterioration of the system.

[0084] Referring to Figure 4, the RESS is fully constructed and installed in a representative residential neighborhood so that it is located on the roadway and captures local grid energy, residential solar energy, on-board solar energy, pressure plate energy captured from the weight of moving vehicles, etc. This RESS provides the energy storage needed to house the excess energy available in close proximity to the RESS.

[0085] The stored energy contained in the RESS can be utilized by the local grid and nearby residents, and in the event of a "blackout," such stored energy can be fed back to local homes and the grid to support the local grid and power authorities until the infrastructure is repaired and fully operational. At that point, the transmission of energy from the RESS to the grid ceases. While power is flowing from the ESUs onboard the RESS to the local grid, the RESS, through its electrical components, systems, hardware, software, and load sharing systems, has the capability to direct the energy flow from individual ESUs in a discharge mode to supply the local grid and homes, while simultaneously recharging depleted and / or low ESUs with various other forms of renewable energy sources, such as residential solar energy, on-board roadside solar energy, and pressure plate energy captured from the weight of a moving vehicle.

[0086] The stored energy contained in the RESS, and energy entering and leaving the energy storage system in the form of charging and discharging as energy required for the continuous operation of the on-board systems, and the electrical components, systems, hardware, and software used to perform contactless or contact charging of the electric vehicle during normal day-to-day operation, regardless of emergency situations.

[0087] The RESS includes electrical components, systems, hardware, and software, connected in a design that allows for overall system operation. The design primarily enables charging / discharging of ESUs and balancing the charging of all ESUs across the micro- or macro-grid so that all ESUs are at near full charge levels. Energy is utilized when used to charge EVs moving along the surface of the RESS and when used to operate on-board heating elements to keep roads free of frozen precipitation when temperatures drop below freezing. Energy operates embedded sensor technology used to acquire data, share data, and control hardware / software using acquired data. The hardware / software instructs and / or informs on-board, adjacent, and / or off-site control systems that take corrective actions based on acquired information and the results of selected comparative software algorithms.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 8, the RESS includes a drainage storage reservoir to capture any form of precipitation, rain, snow, sleet, etc., once it is "melted" to a liquid phase. As described herein and for further explanation, the captured and stored precipitation can be utilized to support the EMS in the event that a need arises to provide a cooling medium to any ESU should the observed and sensed temperature of the ESU exceed an appropriate operating temperature. Pumps and / or recirculation systems can be incorporated to siphon off this collected precipitation and distribute it to cavities / compartments to cool the ESU.

[0089] The layer proposed to be incorporated under this innovation may incorporate heating elements to maintain the surface temperature of the road surface above the freezing temperature level and to allow all precipitation falling on the road to remain in liquid phase and move off the road surface and be directed from the on-board drainage storage reservoir as described above to an off-site local receiving water body. Based on the critical safety feature that the heating elements provide to the RESS system, a redundant layer or multiple heating element layers are provided on this particular surface plate such that if for any reason one heating element layer malfunctions or does not turn on or heat to the desired temperature, the secondary / redundant heating element layer will be activated to replace the original or primary heating element layer. An alarm notification will be sent by the RESS through a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to the control room and repair / maintenance crews will be scheduled and dispatched to the faulty RESS to rectify the situation and remove the entire heating element layer and replace it with a fully functional unit while taking the faulty unit off-site for repair and repair. Since highway authorities rely on this beneficial feature of the RESS, redundancy becomes a must to protect motorists.

[0090] Based on the importance of some of the features built into the RESS smart road, based on the management system of the on-board ESUs, if the RESS detects any signs of an imminent or potential catastrophic condition that may pose a clear and present threat to the motoring public, i.e., ESUs overheating and unable to cool to a safe operating temperature, and these ESUs may burn and catch fire, the SCADA system will sound an alarm and take immediate corrective action such as "shutdown" or "disable / disconnect" the RESS operating modules to prevent further malfunction and / or overheating and potential fire outbreak. When this event occurs, while the operating modules are inactive, the road surface layer housing the heating elements remains fully functional, and while the energy source on the same RESS is disabled, the SCADA system will "notify" the adjacent RESS units, remotely operating the switches to shut off the on-board energy flow and open the switches powering the heating elements from those adjacent RESSes, thereby keeping the entire surface above freezing even if the underlying operating modules are inactive. This allows emergency response technicians enough time to extract and replace the defective operating module while maintaining a safe driving surface in the process.

[0091] This same beneficial capability can be applied to electric vehicle charging systems to prevent any of these systems from being without power at any time. The intelligence of the SCADA system helps observe and coordinate the needs of all aspects of the RESS system, individually, collectively, and holistically.

[0092] While the RESS will be utilized primarily on traveled roads transporting vehicles and freight, this embodiment of the design is envisioned to be utilized in any territory / jurisdiction or easement owned by a highway authority, such as road shoulders, medians between roads, on- and off-ramps, etc. Based on a modular system design, the unique individual components of the RESS can be customized to accommodate features such as road shoulders, medians between roads, on- and off-ramps, and to suit individual bedrock geology and surface loading as determined by appropriate engineering design.

[0093] The RESS is a fully modular design and can be combined with all individual components as a fully engineered unit or can be "broken down" to utilize the individual components independently and separate them from the other components. In cases such as where the existing road base has sufficient support such that there is no need to further support the RESS with base layers and / or footings / piles, this layer of the RESS may be removed from the design embodiment and all other layers may be used in its absence.

[0094] In areas where a roadway extends over and crosses a bridge or other roadway structure where the surface layer of the existing roadway does not have a sufficient depth of cover to accommodate the entire RESS, based on the need to match or "match" the existing roadway elevation, it may be desirable to "bridge" or "span" this roadway area with only the RESS surface layer. This is important at bridge crossings where the freezing and / or subfreezing surface temperatures must be kept high enough to keep the roadway free of snow and ice, as local highway authorities rely on the RESS to be maintenance-free and not require snow removal operations. These separate and independently deployed surface plates are connected to the nearest composite RESS at both ends and are appropriately energized to serve their intended purpose. These same surface layers may be able to incorporate roadway solar panels if sufficient depth of cover allows for this increase in height above the foundation.

[0095] In road shoulders, medians between roads, entrance / exit ramps, etc., there may be no need for a heating element layer, a foundation layer with footings and / or piles, or a pressure plate layer, and again based on the modular design of the RESS, the specific components of this embodiment can be mixed and matched to address the needs and requirements of the application being addressed.

[0096] The RESS is a fully modular design and can be combined with all the individual components as a fully engineered unit or can be "broken down" to utilize the individual components independently and separate from the other components. In one embodiment of the RESS design, where it may be desirable to increase the energy, such as in "off-road" locations such as road shoulders, medians between roads, on- and off-ramps, and / or where there is a footprint available to allow for "stacking" of the RESS base housing assembly and cable channels, RESS operating modules and surface layers, stacked one on top of the other to allow for the footprint to maximize the energy for a particular application.

[0097] RESS is a fully modular design and can be customized to fit any geometric layout as needed, including angles, turns, multi-lane to single lane transitions, lane widths, etc., to fit the existing layout of the roadway infrastructure being replaced with the RESS units. For example, instead of the rectangular model presented, alternative geometric shapes such as triangles, circles, diamonds, etc. can be created and configured to fit any existing roadway shape, size, and design. It is understood that the number and / or quantity of ESUs, EV charging plates, sensors, etc. are arbitrary and will be determined at design time to accommodate the particular layout and geometry selected to fill the available roadway space. It is understood that the physical size and dimensions of the roadway ESUs are arbitrary and will be determined at design time to fit the particular layout and shape selected to fill the available roadway space.

[0098] With the advent of automobiles as a mode of transportation in society and the availability of fossil fuels to power these vehicles, roads were created to make travel smoother and more convenient. Over time, these roads deteriorate and require maintenance to keep them in a condition for vehicles to travel on. The cost of this maintenance should obviously be borne by those who use the roads the most. For this reason, it was decided that a tax should be included on the purchase of fossil fuels i.e. gasoline, diesel etc. and the tax collected was used for the maintenance of roads. Obviously, those who use the roads the most would have purchased more fuel and thereby paid more fuel tax to cover the increased usage of the roads and share in the maintenance of the roads. In recent years, with the advent of electric vehicles, this fuel tax based revenue system for maintaining roads has at some point resulted in diminishing monetary value that cannot meet the future needs of the roads. As communities and transport authorities address this concern and issue, a new paradigm has emerged in the form of Road Usage Charges (RUC) where vehicles are charged according to the length of road they travel. Many of these are monitored by various sensor technologies. Understanding this need, it can be seen that by leveraging the surface layer of the RESS, which contains a variety of energy capture sources, heating elements and sensor technologies that help generate energy, maintain the road surface and communicate with the driver and safety / navigation applications and software, additional sensors can be incorporated to track road usage and collect revenue needed for road maintenance.

[0099] RESS smart roads will have multiple ESUs installed separately that need to be monitored separately. Based on the range of energy storage devices currently available on the market and their construction and chemistry, each has its own metric requirements that should be monitored to extend the useful life of these units. The installed control system will understand the capacity of the ESU, the nominal energy (i.e., the energy the ESU can generate / provide from full charge to full discharge), the power delivery of the ESU, the specific energy or amount of energy the ESU can store relative to its mass, the C-rate or time at which charge and discharge times are scaled, the cycle (charge / discharge / charge rate) of the ESU, the cycle life or the number of cycles the ESU can provide within its expected life, the depth of discharge of the ESU assuming 100% full discharge, the state of charge indicating the charge level of the ESU at any particular time, and the coulombic efficiency, which represents the charging efficiency at which electrons are transferred within the ESU, etc. All these metrics and more are continuously monitored on each individual ESU cell by the ESU management system and communicated to the on-board SCADA system to coordinate locally and individually with the load balancing system to provide energy flows from neighboring ESUs that have enough charge and / or excess energy to share with the on-board ESU. Only when the entire on-board ESU cell is fully charged is excess energy distributed to the internal DC grid to be shared locally or globally with neighboring RESS units, thus resulting in a fully charged RESS grid.

[0100] In one embodiment of the disclosure, on-board wireless and direct contact charging capabilities are provided to support electric vehicles traveling on RESS smart roads. As such, these charging mechanisms draw power directly from the on-board ESU to provide the energy required to charge and support the electric vehicle and its battery, eliminating or minimizing the need to leave the road to find road charging options while traveling. This beneficial feature of RESS smart roads, when fully implemented, will allow electric vehicles to no longer be limited by the vehicle's battery capacity and range, as the roads and RESS will allow these batteries and electric vehicles to be charged non-stop while traveling, whether the travel distance is tens, hundreds, or thousands of miles, allowing the expected range of travel with a fully charged battery. Hesitation about EV ownership and concerns about the lack of infrastructure to support EVs will be alleviated by RESS smart roads, providing unlimited energy to EVs while traveling and on the move. EV owners will be charged a comparable and approved fee for charging their vehicles while using the RESS smart road system. When the EV is fully charged and / or if the EV owner does not want the EV to charge while using the road, the EV owner can disable this feature by simply flipping a switch on the EV.

[0101] While the vehicle is traveling on the road, its usage is monitored and shared as necessary with local, state, and federal agencies who may be asked to assess fees / taxes for the upkeep and maintenance of the RESS. Smart roads through the interaction of sensor technology, transponders, RFID codes, etc. Each level of this technology has an overall SCADA system that takes all the data collected from each lower level in the hierarchy and uses / processes this data to support the overall RESS grid up and down the chain. Ideally, when fully implemented potentially nationwide based on the interconnectivity of this system, energy would flow from street to street, neighborhood to neighborhood, county to county, state to state, and across the country, ensuring that every region is energized and eliminating overall dependency on fossil fuels.

[0102] On that day, if a devastating storm occurs in New York, knocking out the power grid and leaving communities without heat, electricity, energy, communications, etc., the accumulated resources and underground service network within the RESS will have ample reserves in remote states such as Connecticut and New Jersey that can utilize and transfer energy and resources through roads to New York's depleted ESU. Energy from the power grid and renewable sources available in New Jersey and Connecticut will begin recharging the depleted ESU in Connecticut and New Jersey and the system will continue to support the region and the entire country. Roads run across state lines everywhere and connect this entire country and the world as a whole. They connect us all and the emergence and overarching goal of the RESS is to enable these very same roads to provide the means to support communities and the country, not just in terms of mobility, but through the newly constructed infrastructure that they now contain.

[0103] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings, and it is understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A subsurface energy storage system comprising: a plurality of roadway housings arranged to define a surface for travelling of vehicles, each roadway housing comprising: a housing defining a plurality of cavities in the energy storage assembly; the energy storage assembly including a plurality of energy storage units mounted respectively within the plurality of cavities and electrically coupled to each other; at least one layer providing the surface over which vehicles travel; and an energy storage management controller coupled to the plurality of energy storage units in the plurality of roadway housings; 1. A subsurface energy storage system comprising:

2. The subsurface energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a plurality of channels about a periphery of the housing.

3. The subsurface energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein each roadway housing further comprises a drainage channel beneath the energy storage assembly.

4. The subsurface energy storage system of claim 3 , wherein each roadway housing further comprises a support assembly below said drainage channel.

5. 5. The subsurface energy storage system of claim 4, wherein the support assembly comprises a support layer in contact with the drainage channel and a plurality of vertical legs extending from the support layer.

6. 2. The subsurface energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the at least one layer comprises a transducer layer configured to generate energy from traffic on the surface operating vehicles and coupled to the energy storage management controller.

7. The subsurface energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein each roadway housing further comprises a distribution conduit coupled to the energy storage assembly.

8. 10. The subsurface energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the housing defines at least one longitudinal cavity, and the energy storage assembly comprises at least one charging device within the at least one longitudinal cavity.

9. 2. The subsurface energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the at least one layer comprises an over layer defining the surface upon which a vehicle travels, and at least one visual indicator provided on the over layer for the surface upon which a vehicle travels.

10. 10. The subsurface energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the at least one layer comprises a heating element layer for deicing the surface upon which a vehicle travels.

11. The subsurface energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of energy storage units comprises one of a battery and a capacitor.

12. 1. A roadway housing device for a subsurface energy storage system arranged to define a surface on which a vehicle travels, the roadway housing device comprising: a housing defining a plurality of cavities in the energy storage assembly; the energy storage assembly including a plurality of energy storage units mounted respectively within the plurality of cavities and electrically coupled to each other; at least one layer providing the surface on which vehicles travel above the energy storage assembly; an energy storage management controller coupled to the plurality of energy storage units; A road housing device comprising:

13. The roadway housing device of claim 12 , wherein the housing defines a plurality of channels about a periphery of the housing.

14. The roadway housing device of claim 12 , wherein each roadway housing further comprises a drainage channel beneath the energy storage assembly.

15. The roadway housing device of claim 14 , wherein each roadway housing further comprises a support assembly below the drainage channel.

16. The roadway housing device of claim 15 , wherein the support assembly comprises a support layer in contact with the drainage channel and a plurality of vertical legs extending from the support layer.

17. 13. The road housing device of claim 12, wherein the at least one layer comprises a transducer layer configured to generate energy from traffic on the surface on which vehicles travel and coupled to the energy storage management controller.

18. 1. A method for manufacturing a subsurface energy storage system, the method comprising: Arranging a plurality of roadway housings to define a surface for travelling vehicles, each roadway housing comprising: a housing defining a plurality of cavities in the energy storage assembly; the energy storage assembly including a plurality of energy storage units mounted respectively within the plurality of cavities and electrically coupled to each other; placing each said roadway housing over said energy storage assembly, said roadway housing comprising at least one layer providing said surface for vehicles to travel on; coupling an energy storage management controller coupled to the plurality of energy storage units in the plurality of roadway housings; The method includes:

19. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the housing defines a plurality of channels about a periphery of the housing, each roadway housing further comprising a drainage channel beneath the energy storage assembly.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein each roadway housing further comprises a support assembly below the drainage channel, the support assembly comprising a support layer in contact with the drainage channel and a plurality of vertical legs extending from the support layer.

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