Kinetic Flooring: A Paradigm Shift in Sustainable Energy Production
The ever-growing appetite for power, particularly in bustling urban hubs, is a cause for concern. This pressing issue has sparked a surging demand for alternative energy solutions, all in pursuit of ambitious sustainable development goals, notably the imperative of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The increasing desire to minimize carbon emissions has created opportunities for numerous emerging companies to pioneer advancements in current technologies and explore fresh, efficient methods for harnessing clean energy. Big cities, devouring roughly 78% of the world’s energy and accountable for approximately 60% of greenhouse gas emissions, face a conundrum. The exponential surge in population coupled with limited physical space in these densely populated areas renders traditional renewable energy solutions, such as wind turbines and dams, impractical.
This element of impracticality was recognized by the extremely popular band Coldplay in 2019 when they announced that they will not go on tour until they could do it in a more sustainable way. While this news may have disappointed some confused fans, it's the very power of this fanbase that now fuels even more energy, quite literally! Imagine walking into a building where every step you take powers the lights above you and drives the machinery around you. This futuristic vision is now a reality with kinetic flooring—a revolutionary concept reshaping the landscape of sustainable energy production. It channelizes kinetic energy solely through the energy generated by the fans. Their music is energetic, this leads to fans jumping up and down powered by the music that resonates with them, which consequently provides the power for the concert. Concerts, sports events in stadiums, and other gatherings that attract large audiences have a significant impact on the carbon footprint. Several event planners could benefit from this futuristic technology, as it is not only sustainable, it is cost-effective as well.
Renowned bands such as Coldplay are actively spearheading efforts to leverage their vast fanbase for pioneering and impactful endeavours, aiming to popularize and promote innovative concepts, such as this. The expression "the power of the collective" is frequently employed, as it resonates with a large number of individuals. At a time when there is a heightened emphasis on sustainable energy solutions and reducing carbon emissions, certain emerging companies are transforming this saying into a tangible concept. They are tapping into the energy produced or physically provided by groups of people and converting it into environmentally friendly power sources.
An innovative wave of technology
What undoubtedly exists in abundance is kinetic energy as a power of the collective that harnesses energy in a clean and carbon-friendly way. One way to employ this energy is the innovative technology of kinetic flooring.
Harnessing the surplus energy generated by people's foot power during their movements holds significance, particularly in densely populated countries like India, where places such as railway stations and temples remain crowded all day long. When engineered with piezoelectric technology, the pressure exerted on the flooring can be utilized to generate electrical energy. This energy is captured by floor sensors, converted into an electrical charge through piezo transducers, and subsequently stored for use as a power source. Any energy produced on-site, regardless of its location, lessens the demand on the central grid, thereby increasing the amount of mainstream energy available to other consumers. When this technology is implemented on a larger scale, the advantages of decentralization extend well beyond the specific facilities and areas generating clean power.
Pavagen was the first company to experiment with this pioneering, innovative technology in 2008. They tried several prototypes to examine which method of kinetic flooring would be the most feasible. They are sustainably manufactured,having been made from recycled rubber tyres and the use of refinement technology enables the generation of valuable data for assessing footfall and energy production in urban areas, facilitating informed logistical decisions for businesses operating within these locales. This invention has led to several other companies jumping on the bandwagon, for example on the infamous street in Las Vegas, “the strip” there are self-charging floors that power street lights.
Where can such kinetic tiles be installed?
Areas like airports, sports stadiums, concert venues etc. generate the highest footfalls and these strategic locations can generate kinetic energy on a large scale. At the 2012 London Olympics, tiles were installed along the walking route at the Olympic Park – generating 72 million joules of energy. Pavagen has installed kinetic tiles in airports, stadiums, malls etc.
The first reported permanent walkway installation in India, was at the entrance to Intel India’s 44-acre R&D campus in Bangalore, India, housing 3,500 employees, which powers an LED light display, expected to meet 40% of energy requirements and reduce the facility’s carbon footprint by 37%.
How feasible are kinetic floors?
- Small-scale operations: Since this energy source relies on kinetic energy generated by movement, it can only be effectively utilized in locations with substantial pedestrian traffic. Consequently, from a practical standpoint, harnessing energy through this method cannot be implemented on a large scale.
- Costs: Initially, they were priced at approximately £1,700 per square foot, making them financially impractical for the typical household. However, the cost has significantly decreased to about £80 per sq. ft. Nevertheless, the return on investment for kinetic tiles remains relatively low, except for affluent households, since demand has yet to rise and become mainstream. Pavagen has established an ambitious goal, envisioning that the price of kinetic tiles will ultimately match that of regular floor tiles, possibly as low as £5 per square foot.
- Lifespan: Although these tiles do not boast the extended lifespan of other sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, or dams as they currently have a lifespan of just 5 years, there is still potential for increased durability through ongoing innovations.
So, what’s next?
In densely populated big cities, especially those with thriving commercial districts, there exists a significant opportunity to strategically employ kinetic tiles. These areas, particularly in retail zones, witness an immense influx of shoppers, presenting an ideal scenario for harnessing the potential of these tiles. It is imperative to establish a permanent, long-term, and strategic approach towards utilizing these tiles efficiently as they are portable, require minimal maintenance, and their cost is gradually decreasing. We should aspire to extend their application beyond confined public spaces like airports and sports events and demand for substantial investments from companies and authorities to manufacture and regulate their usage in order to maximize the benefits of kinetic energy. To achieve this, stricter and enforceable regulations need to be put in place to govern the commercial utilization of these tiles effectively.
With the ambitious goal of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050 and significantly reducing carbon footprint, Kinetic Flooring emerges as an effective means to contribute to these objectives.
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