As we become more energy dependent, there is a need to create more energy for our use. Although we’ve relied on nonrenewable resources in the past to create our energy, in today’s world the focus is on sustainable. To that end, Pavegen wants to turn our footsteps into power.

Pavegen makes walk paths, basically. The difference between theirs and what’s commonly found on streets and in buildings is that they’ve included technology to harness energy directly from the steps that people take. This creates a passive renewable energy source since, after all, people were going to walk through where the path was laid anyway.

When people walk on the panels, the weight of their steps causes a series of reactions from which energy can be harnessed. This energy can be used for a variety of things. Although not featured in homes, there have been over 100 permanent installations around the world in various high traffic spaces like shopping centers, stadiums, and train stations. Pavegen is truly a step in the right direction!