You might not have guessed it, but the solution to some of the environmental issues facing modern cities could be right under your feet. New technology is being developed to convert the energy that pedestrians exert on the move into power sufficient to keep surrounding electrical devices working.
The innovation was invented by Laurence Kembal-Cook and is being trialled in the UK by Pavegen Systems. The system works using a number of flexible paving slabs which are placed in areas where there is a constant stream of pedestrian traffic. When someone steps onto one of these slabs, they exert a small amount of pressure which the slab stores as energy. The idea is that this energy could help power any of the nearby things that run on electricity.
Busy places like train and tube stations are being targeted, because of the sheer number of people who use them. Lights, computers, automatic doors, tube station ticket machines, shop frontages and train and bus timetables - could all soon be powered by our feet!
For the time being, the slabs are facing a trial period in schools, airports and other places before being considered for use in a wider scheme. The power to lowering your carbon footprint is closer than you think. Step on the right paving slab, and the footprint you leave could be a green one.
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