Supporting the implementation by NRAs of renewable energy technologies in the road infrastructure

INTRODUCTION

The EU National Road Authorities (NRAs) have more than 2,800 km2 of available land on which generating clean energy would lead to the mitigation of the environmental impact caused by construction, maintenance and operation of the motorways.

On the other hand, the promotion and implementation of Renewable Energy (RE) technologies by NRAs should be based on an accurate knowledge and count on a decision support system that helps the NRA stakeholders to deal with the different criteria involved.

In this context, the objective of the ENROAD project is to provide the NRAs with accurate and easy to use tools that help the implementation of RE technologies along the road infrastructure with the greatest possible economic and environmental benefit, thus supporting the road authorities in finding their way towards the decarbonisation goals.

To ensure the success of the ENROAD, a triple approach has been adopted as part of the project methodology: a technical approach, involving the identification and selection of the most suitable energy technologies and road topologies; a regulatory approach, to evaluate the current regulation and governance at national and EU level as well as to suggest potential modifications; and a business approach, to define the most convenient business models for the implementation of the RE projects.

At the end of the project, road managers from NRAs would benefit from insightful knowledge regarding the generation and storage of renewable energy, moving them from their initial reluctance to these types of sustainable technologies to an active confidence towards their application in their respective countries. This project has been funded by the Conference of European Director of Roads (CEDR).

ENROAD IN NUMBERS

759,240.13€

Euro in budget

730

Days of work

More than 15

International experts

CEDR TRANSNATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME

The CEDR Transnational Research Programme is aimed at procuring research results that can be implemented by CEDR members and contribute to a safe, sustainable and efficient road network across Europe. As created in 2003, the CEDR -Conference of European Directors of Roads- is the platform for the promotion of improvements within the road system and its infrastructure as an integral part of a sustainable transport system in Europe. Its members represent their respective National Road Authorities (NRAs) or equivalents and provide support and advice on decisions concerning the road transport system that are taken at national or international level.

The participating NRAs in the Transnational Research Programme Call 2019 are Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and United Kingdom. As in previous collaborative research programmes, the participating members have established a Programme Executive Board (PEB) made up of experts in the topics to be covered. The research budget is jointly provided by the NRAs as listed above.

Know more about the CEDR and its research program here