In December 2009, an Israeli company, Innowattech Ltd., achieved a breakthrough by conducting the worlds first energy harvesting project on railways in Lod, Israel, coordinated by the Israeli Railways company.
Previously, Innowattech has conducted several first of their kind projects in cooperation with Israel National Roads Company, implementing the vehicular IPEG™ (Innowattech Piezoelectric Generator) along several highways in Israel.
The technology developed by Innowattech in association with Technion I.I.T (Israel Institute of Technology) is based on piezoelectric materials that enable conversion of mechanical energy exerted by the weight of passing railway cars into electrical energy.
One kilometer of Innowattech’s generators along a busy railway line is capable of producing an average of 120 KWh per hour, sufficient electricity to provide for the average consumption in about 100-150 households provided approximately 250 railways cars travel through the interval per hour on average.
The harvested electricity may be supplied to various rail signaling applications and other rail-side appliances, as well as transferred into the electric grid. The technology may also be used for rail data collection (Smart railroad).
The technology does not increase the railways energy consumption or affect the road infrastructure. It is not affected by weather conditions and allows electricity to be harvested near the end consumer.
The latest project followed the following steps:
@ Innowattech’s team is evaluating the site.
@ The sleepers are delivered to the site.
@ The generator embedded in the sleeper.
@ The existing sleepers are being replaced.
@ The gravel is dug from under the existing sleepers.
@ The existing sleepers are pulled out from under the rails.
@ The new sleepers are inserted in their place.
@ The gravel is re-inserted under and around the new sleepers.
@ The cables are attached to the generators and to the pilot measurement and control system.
For more information, please visit www.innowattech.co.il or contact Yael Greenberg, Business Development and Marketing Executive, at bd@innowattech.co.il.
Duration : 0:2:29
EnviroMission Limited (www.enviromission.com.au) produced this 5 minute video on the pilot plant in Spain. It is an older video (2000) but gives a decent understanding of the solar tower concept.