We have been witnesses to a variety of green energy mediums to power up vehicles, be it wind power, solar energy, human power or biofuels. But, here is something completely out-of-the-box. Research in South Korea unveiled an environmentally friendly public transport system that uses a “recharging road” to power up vehicles. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a system that lets a vehicle suck power magnetically from buried electric strips.
recharging road1
recharging road2
Duded the “Online Electric Vehicle (OLEV)”, the system towing three buses, went into service at an amusement park in southern Seoul. Seoul mayor Oh Se-Hoon and KAIST president Suh Nam-Pyo were among the guests who enjoyed a 2.2-kilometer (1.4-mile) ride on Tuesday around the zoo at Seoul Grand Park. The system requires a battery that is only one-fifth the size of conventional electric vehicles and eliminates the need for major recharging. It also prevents the use of overhead wires used to power conventional trams or trolley buses. After scrutinizing the success of the prototype, the state-funded institute would try it out on a bus route in the capital.
OLEV works by using pick-up equipment underneath it to collect power through non-contact magnetic charging from strips buried under the road surface. The power is then distributed either to drive the vehicle or for battery storage. KAIST has has applied for more than 120 patents in connection with OLEV, which are said to be safe, clean and economical. Although the University of California (Berkeley) was the first to develop the technology, KAIST was the one to get substantial results. KAIST plans to use OLEVs to shuttle delegates at the G20 summit that Seoul will host in November.
Related Stories
Samoo Architecture proposes to build eco-domes along NEI in South Korea
Where the Eden Project in Cornwall focuses on generating electricity from steam and hot water produced inside the earth’s surface, another project, dubbed the Ecorium Project, sees Samoo Architecture highlighting how a 33,090 sq m area could...
AS+GG proposes green design for new office building in South Korea
A demonstration of sustainable, high-performance and contextually appropriate architecture will soon be the new head office building for the Federation of Korean Industries in Seoul, South Korea. Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the mind...
Dubai RTA adds eco-friendly buses to its green fleet
Dubai is already a role model for the rest of the world for its eco-friendly transportation practices. Keeping up with the tradition, it is all set to go greener in introducing new buses equipped with highly developed Euro IV engines. The Roads &...
LG completes its first solar cell production line in South Korea
LG Electronics will start manufacturing crystalline silicon-wafer based solar cells next month, as it has just recently completed its first solar cell production line. The Gumi, North Gyeongsang-based production line will annually produce about half..
Everything I need to know about atmospheric electricity generator
The impact of atmospheric energy in the form of lightening accompanied by thunders has been probably experienced by all of us during thunderstorms or dust storms. If we can grab even a mere part of this energy, the energy scarcity of the entire world will
