In the past we have heard of how some have proposed the idea of paving roads using solar panels. In fact last month a trial had begun with such technology where in the day, the panels would gather energy from the sun and at night it helps to power the lights. This also means that there is no need to install huge and ugly solar panels on buildings.
Over in Las Vegas, company EnGoPlanet is trialing out a slightly different approach. Instead of solar energy, they plan on rely on kinetic energy which will be supplied by the public. The company is currently testing out floor tiles along the sidewalk in which it will be powered by kinetic energy when people step on it. Given that foot traffic is almost a guarantee, this means that there is no worry that there will never be power.
However to make sure there is enough energy, these tiles are also topped with a solar panel crest so that energy can be gathered from multiple sources just to be safe. The panels will be able to generate anywhere between 4-8 watts, with the energy being stored in a battery which will then be used to power street lamps, video surveillance, USB charging ports, public WiFi, and so on.
According to Petar Mirovic, CEO of EnGoPLANET, “Clean and free energy is all around us. Urban cities have to build the smart infrastructures of tomorrow that will be able to harvest all that energy. This project is small, but a very important step in that direction”
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