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A Donn

Apr 29, 2015
12:54

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Proposal
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Hello there, I think this is a nifty idea but I am not sure where else to take it. I changed the permission settings here so that this proposal can be edited by anyone. Feel free to add ideas, facts and figures, and possible ways to actually get this done. But please don't change the idea itself (residential street electric car charging). Thanks! ~ a

Jamie Bemis

Apr 29, 2015
09:18

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Good Morning! Thank you for submitting your proposal to the contest! This is an excellent idea! The City of Somerville is planning to install a number of electric vehicle charging stations this spring, which will be available for public use, but they will be located in municipal lots and therefore don't directly address the problems you outline. I hope other participants will weigh in and help to develop this idea, as it has a lot of potential! Best, Jamie

Michael Hayes

May 12, 2015
09:54

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Also, the idea and technology for the use of inductive loops within roadways, which actually charges the on-board batteries of some special made cars, goes back to 1920. Here is a link to further info. Electrical power from the road https://www.iav.com/us/press/press-releases/2011/electrical-power-road?sl=true

Michael Hayes

May 12, 2015
09:49

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Further, I'm proposing the re-engineering of the roads/driveways to convert/store bio-energy (along with sewage treatment) and induction loops can be an easy addition to that type of road re-engineering. If enough funding can be found, small street cars using the induction loops (energized with sewage derived bioenergy) could make using a private car in Somerville largely un-necessary. Imagine not having to buy an electric car yet being able to use one when you need....and that the car is fully robotic. And, the city makes enough revenues off the overall system that your property taxes are reduced !!!! Any city which took the time and trouble to re-engineer their streets to convert/store sewage derived bioenergy and even provided pay per ride robotic electric cars which used the renewable bioenergy derived from their sewage system....would be a world leader in common sense and science. Best wishes, Michael

Joseph Beckmann

Aug 20, 2015
12:55

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Another way to look at this is to give curb cuts to ANY applicant with an electric car. That alone would cut costs and expand charging stations massively. Choose the simpler solution and get to the more elaborate ones like re-engineered roads and other technology. A similar suggestion I would have expected on this blog would be solar powered cross walks that glow at night with pedestrian traffic and disappear when no one's around.

Michael Hayes

Sep 1, 2015
01:52

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Joe et al.,

,

"Piezoelectric road harvests traffic energy to generate electricity"

http://www.gizmag.com/piezoelectric-road-harvests-traffic-energy-to-generate-electricity/10568/

I think finding ways to stay off the main grid would be key to curbside charging. If the above piezoelectric tech were installed just in the crosswalks (along with the glowing warning signs), it may provide enough energy to keep a bank of near by microbial fuel cells charged. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbial_fuel_cell

Keeping the fuel cells on the roof of a near by building would keep the system local (off the grid) and do away with the need for major infrastructure work. 

Michael