Energy Generation Potential through utilization of Piezoelectric materials in Smart Motorway System (SMS) of Pakistan

Among major demand areas, transport sector of Pakistan is responsible for approximately 30 Mt of CO2 emissions every year. Under Business as usual scenario, these emissions are expected to go beyond 70 Mt by 2040 which exceedingly defies the constraints applied by Kyoto Protocol and policy measures to control Climate Change. Hence, a paradigm shift is needed in transport sector of Pakistan which deviates it from the path of traditional fossil fuels to either next generation biofuels or mainly toward electric vehicles. However, due to technology and infrastructure lack, the status of electric vehicles in Pakistan is non-existent. Secondly, keeping in view the economic status of country, electric vehicles of first generation are not capable to travel large distances especially on the motorways of Pakistan that does not have any charging stations installed on them. This study performs a theoretical energy and environment assessment through installation of Piezo-electric materials on different pathways along the motorways of Pakistan. A complete feasibility and economic analysis are performed that shows the number of electric vehicles that can be charged, the energy and environmental savings (since electric vehicles have zero tail-end emissions), and the total cost for implementing the proposed system. In coherence with the developed countries and their adaption of electric vehicles, the results obtained showed a positive impact under the scenario that the price of piezoelectric materials will continue to decrease with the same pace for at least next 5 years. Considering the current cost of crystals, the system will take approximately 20 years to payback which is approximately equal to their life spans. However, the economic value taking into account the environmental benefits, the system is rendered feasible.