Frequently Asked Questions

Corporate

What is the history of constructis?

Constructis was formed in 2007. Work began in earnest in 2013 on the first Roadway Energy X (REX) prototype which produced 150 watts per vehicle pass. Five years later, in 2018, exponential increases in energy captured per vehicle pass were achieved. Constructis was awarded a grant in 2019 for the RISE Coastal Community Resiliency Challenge sponsored by HUD and was awarded a grant from SCRA (South Carolina Research Authority) in 2020.

Is constructis insured?

Constructis is insured at a $2M aggregate for full REX fabrication and operations and maintenance including general liability, professional engineering errors and omissions, product safety, fire and pollution.

Is rex patented?

Yes. Constructis has been issued a patent by the USPTO with 28 core claims. International patent protection efforts are well under way in UK, Europe, Israel, UAE and Australia.

REX

What is REX?

REX is a rumble strip system that spans the width of a lane to capture energy from both passenger and drive side tire passes. REX recycles energy that would otherwise be wasted when vehicles are slowing down and braking.

How does REX work?

REX is installed in a road with only strike tubes exposed at the surface. As a vehicle passes over, the strike tubes are depressed. The downward motion activates assemblies which convert the downward motion into rotational motion, spins up generators, and the energy is converted to electricity that is then stored in batteries. REX is motorcycle safe.

WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE CONSTRUCTIS TARGETING?

Three primary target markets:

• Energy – MW production and/or MWH storage. Potential customers include power companies, community choice aggregators and large commercial (retail, distribution centers) or campus customers
• Emergency Storage – Power critical infrastructure during an outage.
• Information – Potential customers include municipalities for Smart City applications (vehicle counts, weight and speed for volume- based traffic light control) and federal government agencies for security applications (under-vehicle scanning, license plate and weight) with vehicle data forward to security personnel in advance of vehicle approach.

WHAT ARE REX COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES?

REX is a vehicle energy recycler, storage and information providing system integrated into one box and is another tool to add to the clean energy toolkit:

• Installed in urban areas where wind and solar are not viable
• Output not weather dependent, based on known average traffic data
• Generates the most power when it is needed most, during morning and evening rush hour. Wind and solar produce in non-peak hours.
• Power is generated right where it is needed. No need for transmission equipment to get the power from point A to B.
• Installs overnight with no large land purchases or complicated financing or environmental clearances required.
• Lowest overnight capital cost of any energy source (based on 50,000 average annual daily traffic or more)

Is REX bumpy?

REX is smoother than other rumble strip systems as the strike tubes are depressed when the vehicle passes over. The height and resistance of the strike tubes can be lowered (less energy per vehicle pass) or raised (more energy per vehicle pass) depending on the application. For instance, in an application with primarily truck traffic the tubes can be raised with more resistance to recycle more energy.

IS REX noisy?

The REX is sealed and insulated so that sidewalk noise is minimized. UL approved fire caulking, sealed sub-systems and 2” of R rated insulation have been added to reduce the noise with the eventual goal of REX being no louder than a normal conversation.

WHERE SHOULD REX SYSTEMS BE INSTALLED?

REX systems are designed to be installed where traffic is slowing down and collecting: freeway/highway entrance/exit ramps, busy intersections, entrances/exits to high-volume parking lots, cash or credit toll lanes, border crossings, entrances to bases or ports or other busy critical infrastructure. REX recycles energy that would otherwise be wasted during vehicle braking.

DOES CONSTRUCTIS HAVE REX TEST DATA?

Yes. Constructis has test data over 10,000 vehicle passes with an average output of 1,154 watts per vehicle pass.

HOW IS THE ENERGY USED?

Energy is used for REX operations and communications. Remaining energy is used per application requirements as determined by the customer: powering facilities, lighting, gates, stored for emergency purposes or net-metered out to the grid

What does REX weigh?

REX weighs between 6,000 – 8,000 lbs. depending on configuration.

What are REX dimensions?

11’ W x 4’ L x 4’ D. REX spans the width of a lane, is approximately 4’ in length and requires approximately 4’ in depth for installation.

HOW MANY KWH CAN YOU STORE PER REX SYSTEM?

REX can store up to 100 kWh per system with options for above ground or below ground battery banks as determined by customer.

HOW MUCH ENERGY IS REQUIRED FOR OPERATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS?

This varies on configuration. REX has a separate, dedicated, 3 kWH battery for operations and communications.

WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU USE FOR STORAGE?

Constructis is battery agnostic. We are tracking EV battery technology and are currently using Lithium-Ion batteries. REX is configured with power transformers to track current flow.

CAN YOU SET ASIDE STORAGE FOR EMERGENCIES?

Yes. REX can be programmed so that remaining power not used for operations and communications is stored in batteries for emergency usage.

How does REX operate?

REX operates on a 20-amp, 3-phase, 12-volt AC system similar to a modern vehicle. DC can also be provided where required for operating systems or client preference.

How does REX connect to the grid?

REX net-meters power to the grid through a state, local or customer defined device. REX is designed in conformance with FHWA, state DOT, and UL standards and guidelines. Each state or local authority may have its standardized or preferred device.

HOW DOES REX CONNECT TO CUSTOMER FACILITIES?

REX would tie into a separate panel box, then into a facility panel box, 3 phase 120/240V. REX systems installed internationally will conform to country specific power standards.

HOW DOES REX COMMUNICATE PERFORMANCE AND SENSOR DATA?

A portion of the recycled energy can be used to power integrated sensors. REX uses off-the-shelf equipment and sensors, internal development and strategic partnerships to capture REX performance and vehicle data. REX communicates power generation input and output, RPM, temperature and other sensor data (camera, vehicle count and others) via an encrypted WI-FI link. In the scenario where there is no communication infrastructure REX can be configured to communicate over cellular or satellite links.

WHAT IS THE MOST FREQUENT OBJECTION TO REX?

REX takes energy from a moving vehicle. This is physically true. However, that is addressed by installing REX systems where vehicles are slowing down and collecting recycling energy that would have otherwise been wasted in braking. In many cases, REX is the only option for zero carbon emission energy recycling in urban and rural areas.

Environment

DOES REX CONTRIBUTE TO GHG EMISSION AVOIDANCE?

Yes. In a busy road application, hundreds of tons of GHG can be avoided yearly.

HOW DOES REX HANDLE RAIN, ICE, SNOW, DUST, SAND OR OTHER ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS?

REX is weather resilient for extreme applications. The battery banks are in a separately sealed compartment to survive a catastrophic event and continue to provide power. Applications may include a heating element or pumps, depending on the environment, to help alleviate short term flood events. The strike tubes can be retracted for snow and ice removal.

HOW DOES REX HANDLE EXTREME COLD OR HEAT?

REX operating range is -20° F to 140° F, -6° C to 60° C.

DOES REX HAVE TEMPERATURE SENSORS AND/OR FIRE SUPPRESSION CAPABILITIES?

Yes. Temperature sensors are included and temperature data is transmitted to designated personnel. REX is designed in conformance to NFPA and UL safety requirements.

Certifications

HOW HEAVY OF A VEHICLE IS REX DESIGNED TO HANDLE?

REX is designed for port and military applications with over 80,000 lbs. per axle load capacity.

WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DOES REX HAVE?

REX is designed for FHWA, DOT, MIL, UL and ISO compliance.

The REX product line is insured and under written, nationally and internationally.