Roadway Geothermal Utility Grid Powered by Solar and Wind

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional geothermal energy systems are limited by high upfront costs and installation challenges, particularly for homes and businesses, due to the need for underground loop systems and reliance on fossil fuel-powered energy exchangers, which contribute to environmental and health issues.

Innovation Solution

A roadway system integrated with solar and wind energy generation devices, connected to a grid that powers geothermal energy exchangers, allowing for mass distribution of renewable energy and reducing the need for individual geothermal infrastructure installations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional geothermal systems use underground loop systems with fossil fuel-powered energy exchangers, then heating and cooling functionality is achieved, but upfront installation costs are high and environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating and cooling functionalityVSAvoidenvironmental harm and health issues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fossil fuel-powered mechanical energy exchangers with an electric-powered geothermal energy exchanger that utilizes electricity from the grid (which can be sourced from renewable energy) to drive the geothermal heat pump system, eliminating on-site combustion and associated environmental harms while maintaining heating and cooling functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy source parameter from fossil fuels to electricity, transforming the system from a combustion-based mechanical system to an electric-powered geothermal system, thereby reducing environmental impact while preserving the core heating and cooling function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If individual geothermal infrastructure installations are performed for each home and business, then energy independence is achieved, but installation costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy independenceVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual geothermal systems into a centralized district-wide geothermal infrastructure where a single geothermal well field serves multiple buildings through a shared distribution network, reducing overall installation complexity and costs while maintaining energy independence for the community

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal geothermal infrastructure that can serve multiple different buildings and facilities (homes, businesses, institutions) through a common network, allowing the system to provide heating, cooling, and hot water to diverse users through a single multi-functional installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for generating and distributing geothermal energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering installation costs for homes and businesses by leveraging a network of solar and wind energy along roadways to power geothermal systems.

Implementation Method 1

a solar energy generating device positioned on part of the road or near to the road to generate solar energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

a wind energy generating device positioned on part of the road or near to the road to generate wind energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind energy conversion: Wind Power

Implementation Method 3

a geothermal energy exchanger... the other end of which is configured to couple to a roadway... causing the roadway to function as a heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

Ground-source units pull heat from the earth and transfer it to homes or buildings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS7566980B2System and method for creating a geothermal roadway utility with alternative energy pumping system

Publication Date: 2009.07.28 TAMIRAS PER PTE LTD LLC

AI summary

A roadway system and method for energy generation and distribution are presented. This system allows a geothermal infrastructure to be tied into the roadway system electricity grid. The geothermal infrastructure may include energy exchangers that are electrically connected to the roadway system electricity grid. By connecting the energy exchangers electrically to the roadway system electricity grid, the energy exchangers may be powered by solar and/or wind generating devices. In one embodiment of the invention, a roadway system for energy generation and distribution comprises a plurality of energy harnessing devices (e.g., solar and/or wind generating devices). The roadway system electricity grid is configured for mass distribution of electricity. The energy exchangers are configured to electrically connect to the roadway system electricity grid. Each of substantially all of the energy harnessing devices, is electrically connected to the roadway system electricity grid and positioned on part of one of the roads.