Nicker on 9/6/2010 at 04:43

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True, the (http://www.lowellsphotos.com/Sand%20Dunes.jpg) global shortage of sand could prove to be an insurmountable obstacle...

Actually most of your objections and questions are answered at their (http://solarroadways.com/main.html) website.

While its initial per mile cost might be greater than asphalt, as the price of bitumen increases and the manufacture of solar roads scales up there is no reason for their relative costs not to converge, especially considering that the solar road is also generating electricity, cleaning up landfills and replacing electrical and data transmission infrastructure.

By their calculations, even with only 15% efficiency the surface area of US roads alone would generate twice the global demand for electrical power. There's no need or call to transmit power between continents. You are inventing obstacles, not discovering them.

Stealing power? Why would anyone need to if there is more than enough to go around? Anyway, the road monitors production and distribution - metering usage is no problem. Lighten up, Mr Cynical.

We already waste 57% of our electricity through inefficiencies. But I suppose we can always (http://www.celsias.com/media/uploads/admin/web-Alberta-Tar-Sands-9.jpg) play it safe and (http://greenmanblog.com/uploads/OilSpill2.jpg) stick with(http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2010/05/17/alg_oil_rig.jpg) proven technologies.

Nicker on 9/6/2010 at 22:41

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There are lots of numbers on the site - of course, not being an electrical engineer or much good at maths, I can't vouch for them, but anyone with the expertise is welcome to have a go.

As to the other Eeyoreisms;

Let's see - you can always store the electricity (I know, it's a stretch). You can always use other forms of generation to supplement the grid.

Intercontinental power transmission is not an essential aspect of the concept but it is an intriguing idea. Reciprocal reliance VS competition - which might better deliver more in the way of peaceful cooperation?

Espionage? It's not like the first time a benign technology was used for war. For that matter, military technology often finds benign, civilian uses too. You can't blame a technology for how we choose to use it. By that reasoning we should abandon electricity altogether. And roads, for that matter.

This isn't a panacea but it shows that there are other, creative ways of approaching a problem.
Like this one; (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10276652.stm) photosynthetic windows that could produce electricity. Turning the power of the problem back on itself to be part of the solution. Very Sun Tzu.

Think outside the slick, Slick!

Ulukai on 10/6/2010 at 08:09

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What.

Just because a sentence starts with "Why" doesn't mean it's a question.

How is that even relevant? Apart from the fact that this pie-in-the-sky electric road system is touted as the solution to fossil fuels, I don't see what Obama's perceived lack of rage at the Gulf oil spill has to do with solar roads at all.

And Jesus, CNN.

CNN's primary purpose is to employ bouffant-haired drama queens who dissect every last morsel of information in a self indulgant lipglossed frenzy of over-analysis. It seems to be broadcast into every hotel room in the world for those who want to lap it up. It's a trap. You can't help but watch because it's preferable to watching Quincy in dubbed Hungarian and you'll end up depressed and angry at the unspeakable hair. And you'll miss your meeting.

Ulukai on 10/6/2010 at 20:24

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But no way near as shitty as CNN.

Turtle on 10/6/2010 at 23:39

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Now, hold on. Quincy is a great show, no matter what Eastern Bloc language in which it's dubbed.