Roads that collect solar energy and heat buildings in Holland

Solar energy is a very efficient way to heat water. Combine that with storage below ground and have a system that works all year, warm in winter and cool in summer. The Dutch company Ooms Avenhorn Holding BV has taken this concept and created the Highway Energy Systems (RES).

Instead of putting pipes in the ceilings, the system puts Res tubes inside the concrete of the roads, these tubes are connected to storage areas beneath the earth. Then this water is used to heat buildings and maintain roads thawed. When cooled, this water is stored very cold to provide air conditioning in summer days. This is a system that works all year, both for buildings and for the roads. This combination reduces the requirements of electricity, thus the pollution; the system reduces the road maintenance such as sweeping the snow in winter.

Solar energy captured in 200 meters of road and a little parking lot help 70 units of 4 stories each to keep hot or cold. Runways at airfields allow maintaining the hangars at the ideal temperature for the entire year.