French City Plans To Harness Pedestrian Power for Street Lights

[Luisks]

Inspired by a disco in Rotterdam, the city of Toulouse (France) will implement an experimental system to reduce electricity bill and use the energy released by people walking: innovation reuse the absorbed on the streets of downtown .

The technology belongs to the Netherlands' Sustainable Dance Club that created panels that are installed on the floor with every step an inch deform, generating between two and 20 watts, depending on the strength and belly weight of the person. These plates will be tested for 15 days and, if results are favorable, they will operate as a source of energy for street lighting.

Anyway, this technique is still primitive and inefficient as it takes little energy. According to estimates from The Register, this invention not be useful in a city like Toulouse, and not reaching even to lower the electricity bill. Maybe in the U.S., where the population is more obese, could have a greater effect. Hopefully, for the sake of humanity and the galaxy that someday this will really be.

Link: French City Plans To Harness Pedestrian Power for Street Lights

http://www.popsci.com/technology/ar...harness-pedestrian-energy-power-street-lights

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[Lehsyrus]

I could see this working in NYC where people walk and drive insane amounts everyday. Putting this technology into times square actually could work. If they put more research into it maybe they could also get more wattage output.

 

[blackhawksniper]

piezoelectric technology is some pretty interesting stuff. I wonder if they can apply it to roadways as well.