Piezoelectric materials generate electricity when subjected to mechanical stress, like the pressure from footsteps, car tires, or vibrations. These materials are often embedded in floor tiles, pavements, or even inside footwear, transforming everyday human and mechanical activity in to usable electrical energy.
At first glance, the energy output might seem negligible, so why bother? As cities strive to become more energy-efficient and sustainable, micro energy generation through piezoelectric systems is rapidly gaining traction. Urban centres, with their dense populations and high foot traffic, offer the perfect landscape for deploying these technologies.
According to a 2023 report by the California EnergyCommission, the global piezoelectric energy harvesting market is projected to reach $823.8 million by 2025. This growth is fuelled by increasing interest from the military, aerospace industries, and smart city developers. Each step on a piezoelectric tile can momentarily generate between 5 to 7 watts of energy—enough to power a small LED light. Consider Heathrow Airport, with an average of 230,000 visitors every day. If each person generated just 5 watts with onestep, the total daily output would exceed 1.1 megawatt-hours of clean, carbon-free energy. To put that in perspective, 1.1 megawatt-hours is enough energy to power around 110 average UK homes for a full day!
UK-based company Pavegen is leading the charge, producing kinetic floor tiles that convert footsteps into electricity while also gathering data. In 2012, Pavegen installed their technology in London’sWest Ham Underground Station for the duration of the Olympic Games. The tiles successfully powered LED floodlights along the walkway, fuelled by the movement of millions of commuters.
Similarly, Tokyo’s Shibuya Station, one of the world’s busiest transit hubs, features piezoelectric mats that capture the kinetic energy of approximately 2.4 million commuters daily. The energy harvested powers LED displays and seasonal lighting, proving the scalability of this innovation in high-traffic environments.
A recent feasibility study from the EuropeanCommission estimates that kinetic energy harvesting systems could reduce local grid energy usage in densely populated areas by up to 10%. This equates to thousands of kilowatt-hours saved annually per installation, translating to significant operational cost reductions and enhanced environmental performance for facilities.
The potential for integration with the Internet of Things (IoT) is especially promising. IoT describes a network of inter connected devices that connect and exchange data. Piezoelectric tiles can function as self-powered sensors, feeding real-time data into urban IoT systems. This enables smarter crowd flow management at events, more responsive infrastructure maintenance, and better-informed planning decisions.
By harnessing a previously untapped energy source –movement – piezoelectric harvesting represents an exciting frontier in the shift toward more intelligent, sustainable cities. And as manufacturing costs continue to fall, its adoption is set to accelerate. As the famous quote goes,“one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”, only this time, your ‘small’ step might just help power a streetlamp.
Sources
California Energy Commission Report
Wired Article on Pavegen at the 2012 London Olympics