What are the costs? That's all that matters. Otherwise you'll fall into the CT pit.
woah woah woah, a CTer? A conspiracy would say they don't work, they don't generate power. That's not the case. They do, it's just a matter of being cost-effective.
Let's be clear there, first. They've developed 2 projects. We know the hex power things work. So let's not go waving around a "CTer" flag. Now it's just a matter of these things costing an assload of $, and not being worth it for another few decades.
HOWEVER, it is definitely a conversation worth having. What if the govt started opening this up? Allow private companies to "adopt" small sections of cities. Allow people to INVEST using a common set of standards. Some fwd-thinking cities would try it too. I'm pretty sure SanFran would have these roads decades before Montana adopts them, which is fine. But even if only 10% of the USA adopted them, that could deliver 30% of the power the USA needs. (Are we ever in another mid-east war if that is the case?)
Obviously, nobody is saying "this firm will solve all US energy needs in a month!"
However, saying "let's look at growing this technology, because it just might help bring US power independence in the coming decades".
And this is DEFINITELY not a liberal/conservative thing. If ANYTHING, I would guess conservatives would definitely support a technology that allows us to stop borrowing $, to be the world's police, when we have the potential to boost employment and US infrastructure, mnfg, and industry, all at the same time. And it's not a CT thing, dude... it's just a cost thing. And all tech costs decline over time as newer, better things arrive. Plus, you exchange advertising for taking care of the costs - I bet McD or microsoft would pay for 100% of the infrastructure if an overhead view of it from space could carry their logo. BOOM. Pay for it right there. Those on the ground woudln't be able to make out the colors, but from space you get to see Golden Arches lol. Permanent advertising on all google maps of NYC for ever? I bet companies would be in a bidding war for who could pay for it and then pick up a nice chunk of Iowa at the same time.
And judging from the viral manner in which this video is taking off, I'm guessing there's a lot of national interest in this. I suppose we'll wait until all of Europe is energy dependent from using these roads, then we'll get around to trying it LOL...