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The problem in urban Texas is that all the asphalt and concrete acts as a stationary heat battery. Counteracting that is a huge part of the problem. They could
by humanrebar 7y ago
The problem in urban Texas is that all the asphalt and concrete acts as a stationary heat battery. Counteracting that is a huge part of the problem.
They could use batteries and air conditioning to do so, but it's likely the return on investment would be higher figuring out how to provide more shade even in non residential areas.
- SketchySeaBeast 7y agoIt's a shame we can't convert that heat to electricity in some efficient way.
- imglorp 7y agoPV solar roadways are a total bust, but I do wonder about liquid loops under the asphalt. If you need a source of cold to create a temperature gradient vs the road, you could always pull from geothermal next to the roadway collector.
- acidburnNSA 7y agoOh we can convert high grade heat to electricity with amazing efficiency. Problem is, this is super low-grade (low temperature) heat. Darn you, thermodynamics.
- celticninja 7y agoProvide shade by putting up solar panels above the roads.
- bobthepanda 7y agoI‘m imagining that Texas has far wider roads than Europe. Would it be possible to plant street trees or other tall native vegetation to provide shade?
- shliachtx 7y agoHouston does just that. Streets in Houston are lined with live oak, providing shade to much of the street.
- cylinder 7y agoHave you been outside the loop? There is no culture of shade protection in Texas the way there is in other not places like Australia or mideast. Massive concrete car parks with no shade structures in sight. No solar panels on the roofs of big box stores. It's pathetic.
- the8472 7y agoWould it make sense to mix some TiO2 or other whiteners into the asphalt and concrete to increase their albedo? Edit: Looks like LA is doing something like that https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/blogs/how-los-angeles-beating-heat-white-painted-streets https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/blogs/how-...