Cathodic Protection for Reinforced Concrete Structures: Present Practice and Moves Toward using Renewable Energy

Abstract: Cathodic protection (CP) limits the corrosion of a metal by making it the cathode of an electrochemical cell. This is achieved either by (i) using more active sacrificial anodes to create a driving current, or (ii) using inert anodes and impressing an external direct current (DC). This paper presents up-to-date CP systems available for reinforced concrete, particularly Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) and self-sufficient or renewable energy systems. The potential for overcoming the mismatch in energy provision from renewable sources (intermittent current) with energy needs for CP (constant current) is discussed by exploring novel designs and examining current requirments.