Revolutionary floor tiles that generate usable energy with every step have been developed by Pavegen. Energy is all around us, it just needs to be harnessed. Pavegen floor tiles are a unique way to do this, generating up to 5 watts of electricity with every footstep. The tiles have already been installed in Rio de Janeiro, where they were placed directly under the grass of a football pitch, providing enough power for floodlights. However, it is necessary for players to walk in unison to generate the electricity needed for the lights. This alternative energy source is ideal for such locations, and with an attached energy storage system, the lights can be powered for up to two hours after the players have left the pitch.
Although 5 watts of energy may not seem like much, if the tiles are used up to 20 million times in a city, the potential for energy generation is enormous. Pavegen tiles, originally manufactured in the UK, have already been installed in Heathrow Airport’s departure lounge, as well as in several well-known locations in London and Nigeria. In Nigeria, a football pitch has also been equipped with the tiles. The first tiles were installed seven years ago and only worked when stepped on in the center. The new versions have a triangular shape and are equipped with three generators, converting energy into light with every step.
The founder of Pavegen, Kemball-Cook, has a dream for his tiles. He wants pedestrians to have the choice of how the generated energy is used, such as donating it to Pavegen communities in exchange for shopping discounts. The system can even track pedestrian movement through cities, providing valuable data for future urban planning. This approach is particularly interesting for the creative generation of energy and offers many possibilities for the future.
