In the not too distant future we may be utilizing our bridges and highways as energy producers – at least that’s what visionary Italian designers Francesco Colarossi, Luisa Saracino and Giovanna Saracino foresee. They recently submitted their Solar Wind bridge design to the Italian Solar Park South design competition.
The competition asked designers to envision new ways to incorporate alternative energy and environmentally friendly solutions into the design of an elevated highway over a deep gorge between Bagnera and Scilla in Italy.
The Wind Solar hybrid design features 26 wind turbines mounted between the support pillars of the bridge’s structure and 20 km of solar roadway with embedded solar cells. The designers estimate that the solar and wind systems could provide enough electricity to power approximately 15,000 homes.
A green promenade that would extend the length of the bridge’s roadway would house solar greenhouses for growing local produce. Challenges – the vibration created by the wind turbines and the potential danger to birds and bats.
The design won second place in the competition. via: eVolo
RSS
Does the bridge turn as the wind turns? Or those turbines? If not, me suspects this is a very un-economic suggestion.
An elegant and imaginative solution to the problem. Maybe you guys can post the runners up also.
Is that snow or goose feathers?
This is a very great idea that reflects efficient use of bridges and highways to produce energy. This is how all our future bridges and highways can look. Thanks for sharing.
By taking advantage of alternative sources, not only that we are going to save lots of money in the long run, but also our own planet by using a lot more safer and cleaner energy.Clean energy start increasing a lot because most of the energy we use today is coming from alternative energy sources.