What if we could develop a system that harnesses the kinetic energy of people walking on paving slabs and converts it into electricity? Could such technology make a significant contribution to meeting our energy needs? Those questions led Pavegen to launch their own project and revolutionize the power generation industry.
WHAT IS THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT?
The British company Pavegen Systems Ltd., currently directed by Lawrence Kemball-Cook, is engaged in the production and sale of its unique technology – paving slabs that generate energy thanks to pedestrians walking on it, literally around the world.
WHAT ARE THE SLABS MADE OF?
Simply speaking, the tiles are made from recycled rubber and polymer concrete. In a little more detail, the innovative tile is made from a flexible waterproof material obtained from the recycling of used car tires, which gives the tile strength and makes it resistant to abrasion. The body of the tile is made of special stainless steel. When pressed, the top edge flexes by 5 millimeters, and causes the integrated converter to generate electricity.
HOW DOES THE TECHNOLOGY WORK?
The technology of the detailed functioning of the plates is kept secret, because in this way the company strengthens its competitive advantage. However, the engineers did make a few claims, noting that their technology is different from classic piezoelectric transducers. Why? The time between peaks that piezoelectric generators require makes it difficult to convert to direct current. Pavegan technology, in turn, reduces the gaps between the “peaks”, and thanks to this, it allows you to get more direct current.
The developers also shared information that their solution allows you to effectively capture and store energy after it is converted into a 12-volt supply. Thus, the top sheet of the tile deviates by 5 mm, and it is this movement that is converted into electricity.
Lawrence’s original idea was to provide power for street lamps and street signs. However, in just three years, the company managed to reach such a level that their products are widely used around the world. The electricity collected using these tiles can be sent directly to power various bus stops, advertising banners and signs, shop windows, and so on, or simply stored in a lithium battery for further use. Thus, the project allows you to convert kinetic energy into electricity, which can be stored for later use for various purposes.
This technology is best suited for the crowded pedestrian streets of modern metropolitan areas. It can be considered that this technology is the first significant step for people on the path to generating clean energy everywhere, literally everywhere, where there are paving slabs. The system they invented makes it possible to modernize existing pavement surfaces, and can be used in the construction of new footpaths.
HOW DOES THE PROJECT LOOK LIKE NOW?
Since the inception of Pavegen, Lawrence has moved towards becoming the market leader in the energy-harvesting pedestrian sector, bringing the issue to the attention of society on a global scale. He managed to convince several commercial properties that were still in the pipeline, after which they picked up Lawrence’s idea, transforming his concept and design into real products.
Pavegen received its first commercial order for the creation of electric generating paving slabs for one of the largest shopping centers in Europe – Westfield Stratford City, which is located near the Olympic site in London. In 2012, during the Summer Olympics in London, tiles produced by Pavegen were already installed on several crowded streets, and in a couple of weeks they collected 20 megajoules of electricity, which was enough to power the lighting of the capital’s streets.
By this time, the company had already managed to conclude an agreement and begin distributing its technology to many parts of the world from Brazil to Vietnam itself.
Lawrence is confident that the company is not even close to the peak of its capabilities. He argues that power sources for consumer devices can be embedded in clothing, and stoves located on the streets of the city are just the beginning in the renewable energy sector.
In my personal opinion, it is almost impossible to predict the exact amount of electricity that will be generated by the Pavegen project at the moment, as it depends on a huge number of different factors. Moreover, both external and internal within the company itself. Moreover, a lot of tests will be needed in order to understand how safe such a coating is for pedestrians, whether it deforms the foot and gait, whether it is dangerous for high heels and small vehicles such as scooters because the walking surface will not be flat.
At present, the electricity that the tiles can generate is relatively small, but after installing tiles in multiple places with heavy traffic, the amount of electricity generated can increase. Of course, technology is unlikely to completely replace traditional energy sources. However, it seems to me that in the future, this project will be able to generate a decent amount of electricity, especially in urban areas with heavy traffic, and become a significant additional source of energy for us.
Don’t hesitate to leave comments down below. I would love to hear your opinion on that!
references:
https://www.archdaily.com/911965/sidewalks-that-generate-energy-through-the-steps
https://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/13/tech/innovation/pavegen-kinetic-pavements/index.html
https://futurism.com/new-flooring-tech-generates-electricity-through-your-footsteps