Autonomous system for the non-intermittent generation and storage of electricity using photovoltaics on motorways (ΣΕΛΑΣ) 

The ΣΕΛΑΣ project suggests the study and exploitation of a new photovotaic panel technology into specific infrastructure of highways (toll stations and parking lots), in order to cover their energy needs. The ΣΕΛΑΣ photovoltaic technology will be able to provide power throughout the whole day, as they will utilize diffused night light from sources such as cars and highway lighting infrastructure. The projects’ goals are: i) design and development of PV systems that can exploit night light sources, ii) development of a software tool that will process, predict and optimize energy services needed for the road infrastructure, iii) simulation of future use case scenarios that do not yet exist in the highway –involving electric cars charging stations and smart lighting-, but will contribute in making the tool as future-proof as possible, iv) implementation of a storage system along with the photovoltaic application that will help in achieving self-consumption, v) integration of the final system in real highway infrastructure (toll and parking stations). 

Various benefits will arise after the project application: i) improvement in the carbon footprint of highway roads’ infrastructure, ii) energy costs reduction and an increase in reliability of critical road infrastructure, iii) integration of
new state-of-the-art materials and energy optimization processes in PV systems, iv) penetration of new technology in the energy and transport sectors, v) increase in employability in the high-end technology sector.