using footsteps as an alternative energy source
DESCRIPTION
Investigate technology that harvests mechanical energy of walking feet and converts it to electrical energy via a special floor tile.TRANSCRIPT
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Journey of Innovation: Designing a Disruptive Technology for a Sustainable Future – Pavegen Systems Ltd.
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What would be an alternative energy resource that could work well in the middle of a crowded city?• Footsteps are an untapped
natural resource• Technology that harvests
kinetic mechanical energy of walking feet
• The Challenge – convert footstep energy to electrical energy
• The Solution – hybrid of piezoelectricity and induction
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Practical Problems• Footstep energy input is not constant• The Challenge – how to store and regulate available
energy• The Solution – a tile that withstands adversity
Every time someone walks over a Pavegen tile, renewable energy is harvested from the footstep. The technology converts the kinetic energy to electricity that can be stored and used for a variety of applications.
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Solution – Consists of Two StagesStage One• Inside the tile – rectified power is used to
charge batteries, which store the voltage and maintain it relatively constant
• Every step on a tile produces about 7 Watts of power for up to five seconds
• Many people walking can generate 12 – 24 Vdc at 2 to 3 amps
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Solution – Consists of Two StagesStage Two• External – physical structure of the tile is
critical to the technology• Electrical circuitry must work flawlessly• Top surface must be rigid enough to sustain
weight differences and activity level of individuals
• Can not be affected by weather conditions
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The Technology
The top surface of the flooring unit is made from 100% recycled rubber and the base of the slab is constructed from over 80% recycled materials. The system can be retrofitted in place of existing flooring systems, or specified for new developments.
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The Technology• Tiles are daisy chained in
parallel• Standard waterproof
connectors are used to connect the tiles
• Connected tiles charge a bank of supercapacitors
• Wireless interface enables communication with software and hardware applications
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The Technology
• Must maintain continuous flow of stable power
• Capacitors can store enough energy to maintain current flow for up to one week
• By adding tiles and capacitors, it is easy to scale up the system
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The Technology• Tiles form a network that sends footfall and
energy data to a base station• Monitors display data as real-time feedback
on energy generation• Integration of power generation and wireless
data transmission give ability to combine: – off-grid sustainable energy– data communication– control of automated systems
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Real-World Installations• Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys – UK • Empire State Building - US• Panduit Corporation World Headquarters – US • Riverdale Country School – US
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What the Future Holds . . .• Pavegen is continually working to improve system• Large grid creation to feed single supercapacitor• Pricing in line with regular flooring• Produce power compatible with the grid
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For More Information . . .
• Download the Executive Summary at www.techbriefs.com/walkingforpower
• View the Webinar at www.techbriefs.com/Webinar218