Rachel Barlow - January 24, 2012

"Green sidewalk makes electricity - one footstep at a time" 
The purpose of this presentation was to try make people aware of an extremely innovative new technology that harnesses energy from footsteps, and to try encourage them to think of the possibilities technologies like these possess in helping fuel our ever-expanding need for energy. 


Discussion questions: 

• How many footsteps does the average person take in their lifetime? 150 Million
• What are the pro/cons of PaveGen?
• Can you see this technology being implemented at MA/in other areas of Marin? Why/Why not?
• Do you think that PaveGen will be cost effective?

Follow-up research: 

• PaveGen tiles are most effective in generating energy for off-the grid uses such as speakers, displays. advertising, street lighting, and alarms. 
• The tiles are capable of generating 2.1 watts of electricity per hour Each PaveGen tile supposedly has the durability to last 5 years, or 20 million steps
• (http://coloradoenergynews.com/2012/01/colorados-solar-energy-future-local-or-corporate-power/) 
• PaveGen tiles are manufactured within 200 miles of the company's main office, which helps reduce transportation-caused emissions  
• (http://inhabitat.com/award-winning-pavegen-floor-tiles-will-use-energy-from-footsteps-to-light-up-uk-shopping-center/) 

Image: 

source -  http://www.gizmag.com/pavegen-tiles-kinetic-energy-harvesting/20235/picture/145468/

Presentation resources: 

article - http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/13/tech/innovation/pavegen-kinetic-pavements/index.html

1st video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_n2gznONvI

2nd video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sp2QiKATwY&feature=related