Cities around the world have begun to try to tap into the mechanical energy we all produce when walking. When you think about how much people walk over a busy street in one day, this type of electricity production could work.
The technology uses the piezoelectric effect, which was discovered when crystal pieces where put under pressure and produced electricity.
Pavegan, the company developing this walking energy, believes it is possible to put these piezoelectric energy devices anywhere. They already work in pavements, football fields, and school corridors.
It is basically a pad that is made out of the soft ground service that is found in playgrounds. It can produce up to 7 watts of energy with every step. This means it can power small devices with a mere hundred footsteps for a few minutes.
In Rio de Janeiro, these pads are being tested where they are in a local football pitch. They work along side solar panels to light the park.
The best part of this, is since it is completely people powered, it has no Carbon Dioxide emissions and is completely a clean energy source.
The technology uses the piezoelectric effect, which was discovered when crystal pieces where put under pressure and produced electricity.
Pavegan, the company developing this walking energy, believes it is possible to put these piezoelectric energy devices anywhere. They already work in pavements, football fields, and school corridors.
It is basically a pad that is made out of the soft ground service that is found in playgrounds. It can produce up to 7 watts of energy with every step. This means it can power small devices with a mere hundred footsteps for a few minutes.
In Rio de Janeiro, these pads are being tested where they are in a local football pitch. They work along side solar panels to light the park.
The best part of this, is since it is completely people powered, it has no Carbon Dioxide emissions and is completely a clean energy source.