Energy sources such as wind and water power have been successively used to generate electricity. Nowadays, human footsteps are expected to become the latest non-polluting energy source. British engineers have recently designed an underground generator that can use the energy from foot traffic to produce electricity. This invention will soon be applied in major supermarkets and subway stations.
Footstep Power Generation
This new footstep power generation technology can utilize the pressure of footsteps on the floor to drive the flow of liquid underneath, which in turn rotates mini-turbines to generate electricity and store it in batteries.
Researchers have already tested this technology at the Victoria Underground Station in central London. The results confirmed that a passenger flow of 34,000 people per hour could provide enough electricity for 6,500 light bulbs.
These footstep-powered devices will first be applied to the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, UK. The Spinnaker Tower is a 170-meter-high observation tower where mini generators powered by footsteps will be installed under each step of the staircase for visitors to use.
"Not only will we utilize the footsteps of the crowd, but we will also harness all the slight movements of the entire Spinnaker Tower to generate electricity," David Webb, who is negotiating installations with subway stations and shopping malls, was quoted as saying by the British Sunday Times on the 8th. "All buildings sway slightly. Of course, if there's a movement like a TV antenna, that would be even better."
Wide Range of Applications
In addition to being installed under floors to use the energy from foot traffic, this device can also be installed under railway tracks or bridges to utilize the energy released by passing trains and cars.
In fact, this technology was successfully tested last year under a bridge in the Midlands of England. The generator under the bridge successfully converted the energy released when trains passed into electricity for flood monitors.
Researchers say that these underground generators can also be used in crowded stadiums or pedestrian bridges.
Theoretically, this device can be used in any crowded place.