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Road Power Generation System

Transforming Highway Infrastructure into Renewable Energy Sources

Jul - Dec 2016
Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology
5 Member Team
Zero Emissions

Project Vision

Imagine highways that don't just consume energy, they generate it. Our system transforms wasted kinetic energy, wind forces, and road vibrations into clean, usable electricity.

Three independent harvesting modules working in harmony: Wind Turbines, Kinetic Rollers, and Piezoelectric Sensors, all orchestrated by intelligent automation to power street lighting without grid dependency.

System Components

Energy Harvesting Modules

Wind Energy

  • Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (Involute Spiral)
  • Bidirectional wind capture from traffic
  • 60-90W continuous output
  • 110 RPM operational speed
  • Highway divider mounting
  • Weather-resistant design

Kinetic Energy

  • Roller-based speed breaker replacement
  • Chain-sprocket amplification system
  • 2.3 kW daily generation capacity
  • 1.33W per vehicle average
  • Powers 4 street lights continuously
  • Minimal vehicle speed impact

Piezoelectric

  • Crystals embedded 5cm below surface
  • 15V DC from tire deformation
  • 240 kW potential per km
  • Powers 480+ streetlamps (500W)
  • Maintenance-free operation
  • All-weather functionality

Smart Control

  • 8051 microcontroller brain
  • LDR-based day/night detection
  • IR motion sensing system
  • 6V intelligent battery storage
  • Diode-protected circuits
  • Lights activate on-demand only

Technical Specifications

Power Output

Wind: 60-90W continuous
Kinetic: 2.3kW daily
Piezo: 15V DC (240kW/km)

Energy Storage

6V battery with intelligent charge management and diode-protected reverse-flow prevention

Power Consumption

Automated street lighting with motion-activated on/off control for maximum efficiency

Environmental Impact

100% renewable, zero emissions, minimal ecological footprint with sustainable materials

How It All Works Together

Energy Collection

Three modules harvest energy simultaneously from wind, kinetic motion, and road vibrations

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Smart Storage

Centralized 6V battery with intelligent charge management and protection circuits

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Control

8051 microcontroller orchestrates lighting based on ambient light and vehicle presence

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Efficient Use

Street lights activate only when needed, creating a completely self-sufficient system

Research Team

Akanksha Garg
Aanchal Mittal
Aayush Wadhwa
Hanish Kataria
Aditi Saksena

Mentor: Dr. Mandeep Singh (Professor, Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering)

Institution: Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala, Punjab, India

Duration: July 2016 - December 2016

A collaborative undergraduate research project exploring the intersection of renewable energy, embedded systems, and sustainable infrastructure design.

Project Documentation

Explore comprehensive technical details, circuit diagrams, and research findings