Investigate technology that harvests mechanical energy of walking feet and converts it to electrical energy via a special floor tile.

1. Journey of Innovation:
Designing a Disruptive
Technology for a
Sustainable Future –
Pavegen Systems Ltd.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Solution – Consists of Two Stages
Stage 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

5. Solution – Consists of Two Stages
Stage 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Real-World Installations
• Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys – UK
• Empire State Building - US
• Panduit Corporation World Headquarters – US
• Riverdale Country School – US

11. 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

12. For More Information . . .
• Download the Executive Summary at
www.techbriefs.com/walkingforpower
• View the Webinar at
www.techbriefs.com/Webinar218