Israeli firm Innowattech successfully tested its method of generating electricity from road traffic in a trial performed Tuesday morning along a 10 meter stretch of Highway 4. During the test, passing cars provided enough power for street lights set up next to the 10 meter strip.
The system uses generators implanted two inches below the top level of asphalt that create energy from the weight of cars passing over. Each generator - based on Piezoelectric materials which generate electricity in response to applied mechanical stress - produces 2,000 watts per hour that get stored in batteries along the side of the road. Israel may look to implement the system on the nation's highways, according to project manager Dr. Lucy Edri-Azoulay.