Review Synthesis of Alternative Power Supply

The deployment of different alternative power sources and low-power sensors and equipment packages for remote (off-grid) road weather information system (RWIS) sites in the Aurora Program states in recent years has resulted in a number of system configurations and operational strategies. This report provides a comprehensive review, investigation, and analysis of alternative power sources and power budgets for sensors and associated components used in remote RWIS applications. Through a literature review, investigation of recent developments, and a survey of the Aurora Program states, this study explored alternative power sources and power budgets of sensors and associated components and provides recommendations on existing remote RWIS configurations and methodologies. The study found that a variety of alternative power sources, low-power sensors, and associated equipment are currently available for remote RWIS applications. The survey results showed that a combination of fossil fuel-based and renewable power sources tied to a battery bank are employed as a viable means of reliable year-round operation of remote RWIS sites. The survey results also showed that many of the remote RWIS sites are using weather sensors, cameras, and associated equipment with a much higher power budget than products currently available on the market. These findings suggest that the reliability and efficiency of some remote RWIS sites could potentially be improved through the deployment of low-power sensors and associated equipment combined with alternative power sources.

• Record URL:
  https://intrans.iastate.edu/app/uploads/2018/10/remote_RWIS_alt_power_supplies_w_cvr.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/66559
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Alaska, Fairbanks

  Institute of Northern Engineering, P.O. Box 755910
  Fairbanks, AK  United States  99775-5900

  Iowa Department of Transportation

  Aurora Program
  800 Lincoln Way
  Ames, IA  United States  50010

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Wies, Richard W
• Publication Date: 2017-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 53p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electric power supply; Literature reviews; Renewable energy sources; Road weather information systems; Sensors; Turbines; Weather conditions; Wind power generation
• Identifier Terms: Iowa Department of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01696229
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Aurora Project 2015-04, Part of InTrans Project 16-156
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 26 2019 9:41AM