Briefing: Pavements: a new source of water and energy?

Abstract

Climate change means storm runoff is becoming an increasing problem in urban areas, and yet so is water supply. A novel permeable pavement design that combines water-harvesting with a heat-exchange system could help solve everything. Piotr Grabowiecki and Miklas Scholz of The University of Edinburgh report.

Combined permeable pavement and ground source heat pump systems to treat urban runoff

“…Nevertheless, there are serious health concerns associated with PPS water (particularly if contaminated with faecal matter), which could potentially be recycled within buildings for toilet flushing and other applications as discussed by the authors previously. 22 Rationale, aim and objectives Both PPS and GSHP are commercially available applications, but were never used as combined systems in a research project. A combined system has the potential to capture, detain and treat runoff, and to either cool or heat a nearby building at the same time.…”