PLATIO: Turning Pavements Into a Sustainable Source of Solar Energy

Thanks to Platio's solar cell paving stones, inner-city benches are turned into phone-charging stations.

A team of engineers and architects has developed a paving system that turns footpaths and public furniture into solar energy producers.

Author Sarah-Indra Jungblut:

Translation Sarah-Indra Jungblut, 02.12.18

Within the trend towards an all-renewable future, inventors around the world are coming up with innovative new ways of producing energy – from streetlights in LA that are powered by pedestrians’ footsteps, to Germany’s Solmove and their solar panel road coverings that can charge EVs inductively using the power of the sun.     

And now there’s Platio, a young company from Budapest, that has come up with an innovative new technology to answer the question, “We’re surrounded by pavements, how can we get them to contribute to sustainability?”

Solar Paving Stones That Fit Together Like Lego

Platio’s paving stones are made of high-performance silicon cells covered with a layer of non-slip and extra-durable safety glass. An intelligent control system allows the energy generated to be fed into the grid or used directly by electrical devices and LED lighting. The slabs can even be made with heated filments inside, so that they stay clear of ice and snow in the winter.

The solar paving stones are made primarily of recycled materials such as plastic waste, and can be clicked together like lego blocks. Engineer Imre Sziszák developed the base of the modules, while Miklós Ilyés and József Cseh worked to create the external layer and ensure functionality. So far the team has been able to raise 70,000 USD for the project and has been supported by funding from the EU. Platio blocks can currently be found at three different locations as part of a pilot project.

In Budapest they’re integrated into the city’s outdoor furniture where they offer people the opportunity to charge their smartphones and also operate electric devices nearby, such as public lighting and traffic control systems – independent of the grid. And they’re currently being tested for use in a completely new area – floating jetties at harbours. Areas like this are often exposed to directly sunlight all day, offering an ideal space for energy production.

To see them in action, check out the video below (with English subtitles).

This is a translation of the original article which first appeared on RESET’s German-language site.

TAGGED WITH
Renewable Energy — What You Need to Know

Energy resources exist in different forms. The effects of climate change, and the impact that greenhouse gas emissions have on the atmosphere are dependent on humans understanding the difference.

This Town in Norway is Saving Energy Using Auto-Dimming Street Lights

A town in Norway is testing new energy-saving technology in its street lights - that turns them down as soon as nobody is around.

Solar Glass Blocks Allow Buildings to Generate Their Own Power

Solar power systems in buildings usually involve rooftop panels, but a new innovation could help capture solar energy via the walls themselves.

Solmove: Will German Cars Soon Be Driving on Solar Roads?

The German startup Solmove has developed a system of glass panels embedded with solar cells that can be used to cover roads and generate energy. It's the latest step in solar road technology, and looks set to give a boost to the electric car market too.

coldhubs-solar-kuehlsystem
ColdHubs
ColdHubs: Solar Fridges for Off-Grid Communities in Nigeria

In many developing countries, huge amounts of food goes to waste simply because of a lack of cold storage options. ColdHubs has come up with a solution to Nigeria's food waste problem, with an innovative refrigeration system powered by the sun.