Footstep Power Generation

Rose Mariya Davis, Sara Susan B, Sneha Shaji and Sonah S Tiju

Electronics Dept., Model Engineering College, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Kerala, India

Keywords:

Piezoelectric Effect, Energy Harvesting, Sensors, Footsteps.

Abstract:

The objective of our project, Footstep Power Generation, is to harvest energy through means of a non-

conventional energy source. We suggest a method for power generation using piezoelectric sensors. These

sensors produce an alternating voltage across them on application of pressure. The voltage produced is propor-

tional to the rate of change of applied pressure. For densely populated nations like India and China, where the

roads, railway stations, bus stops, temples, etc, are overcrowded and millions of people move around all the

time, the proposal for the utilization of power generation via human locomotion is very relevant and important.

The energy generated from this project can be used to power energy required facilities like street lights and

other public facilities.

1 INTRODUCTION

Electricity has now become a lifeline for the human

population, with demand increasing by the day. The

growing worry about the gap between demand and

supply of power for the masses has heightened inter-

est in the research of alternative energy sources and

their sustainable use. That is where the concept of en-

ergy harvesting comes into play. Energy harvesting is

capturing energy that is already available but will go

waste if not used.

Electrical power generation via piezoelectricity is

one such energy harvesting approach that does not

negatively impact the environment based on a prin-

ciple called the piezoelectric effect. Piezoelectric en-

ergy harvesting converts mechanical energy into elec-

trical energy and can power low-power electronics.

While piezoelectric materials operate at lower energy

levels compared to other methods, they provide a way

to harness wasted energy without negatively impact-

ing the environment.

2 OBJECTIVE

Our project aims to harvest energy through means

of a non-conventional energy source. We propose a

method for generating power utilizing piezoelectric

sensors. When pressure is applied to these sensors,

an alternating voltage is produced across them. The

voltage produced is proportional to the rate of change

of applied pressure.

3 LITERATURE REVIEW

We have done extensive research on the areas per-

taining to our project, ranging from piezoelectricity to

the concept of energy harvesting. Many papers were

taken into consideration, of which the relevant papers

are given below:

3.1 Design of footstep power generator

using piezoelectric sensors (Akshat

Kamboj, Altamash Haque, et al.

2017)

This paper investigates various methodologies for

footstep power generation using piezoelectric sen-

sors. The authors describe the experimental setup

and present results in terms of output voltages, ef-

fectively demonstrating power generation through

current-voltage plots. The research inspires the poten-

tial for widespread adoption and progress in footstep-

generated power technology. Motivated by the con-

cept of energy harvesting through the piezoelectric ef-

fect, we undertook a project to implement our exper-

imental setup, showcasing the practicality of power

generation. As part of our project, we thoroughly

studied and plotted the V-I characteristics of piezo-

electric materials under different stress and strain con-

ditions.

Mariya Davis, R., Susan B, S., Shaji, S. and S Tiju, S.

Footstep Power Generation.

DOI: 10.5220/0013596000004664

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Futuristic Technology (INCOFT 2025) - Volume 2, pages 523-528

ISBN: 978-989-758-763-4

523

3.2 Footstep Power Generation using

Piezoelectric Plate (K.Soni, N. Jha,

et al. 2022)

This research paper recommends making use of hu-

man locomotion energy, which, despite being ex-

tractable, is largely wasted. This approach presents

an energy storage concept that employs human move-

ment, skipping, and running as energy. The paper

further talks about the experimental setup which pro-

vided us a model to study from. The analysis that

people’s weight provides power when they walk on

the rungs or platform made us implement our project

using a platform.

3.3 Power Generation from Steps

(Ramesh Raja R and Sherin

Mathew 2017)

This research paper demonstrates the potential of har-

nessing and utilizing energy from commonly used

ﬂoor steps. Given the growing prevalence of stair-

cases in buildings, even in small structures, substan-

tial energy is currently being wasted through heat and

friction dissipation when people climb stairs. The

paper proposes the concept of converting each stair-

case into a power generation unit, capturing and gen-

erating electricity from this untapped energy source.

The generated power can then be stored in batteries

and subsequently used to power the lighting systems

within the building.

3.4 Shoe-mounted piezoelectric energy

harvester (K. Q. Fan and Z. H. Liu

2018)

This paper presents the design of a piezoelectric en-

ergy harvesting system embedded in footwear to con-

vert mechanical energy from human walking into

electrical energy. The proposed device integrates

a spring-mass system magnetically coupled to four

piezoelectric cantilever beams that respond to bi-

directional accelerations generated during walking.

3.5 Design of Footstep power generation

(P. Venkatesh, M. Satya, et al. 2019)

This paper presents the design and development of a

footstep-based power generation system using piezo-

electric sensors. It compares the performance of dif-

ferent piezoelectric materials and analyzes the voltage

and current output under various pressures. It also dis-

cusses the limitations of the current setup, including

low energy output. It suggests future improvements,

such as the use of DC-DC converters for better efﬁ-

ciency, and proposes wider applications in high-trafﬁc

areas such as stairs and treadmills.

4 SCOPE AND RELEVANCE

Due to advancement and applications in the present

life of humans, there is an increasing demand for elec-

tricity day by day. There are numerous ways to gener-

ate electricity, and one of them, footstep power gener-

ation, could be an efﬁcient method. This is an efﬁcient

method to harness the tremendous amount of energy

lost while walking. While walking, weight is trans-

ferred to the road surface via foot falls on the ground

with each step, and energy is lost to the road surface

via sound, throbbing and impact.

Footstep power generation technology is based on

the idea of piezoelectric concept. When piezoelectric

materials are subjected to pressure and strain, they can

accumulate an electrical charge. Piezoelectricity, in

other words, is the capacity of a few materials to gen-

erate an electric potential in the presence of a load.

5 APPLICATION

The proposal to use the lost energy from human

movement to generate power is especially relevant

and crucial for highly populated nations like India

and China, where people’s mobility will be a boon

in producing electricity from their footsteps. In In-

dia, roads, train stations, and bus stops are all packed,

with hundreds of people travelling in an hour. As a re-

sult, this innovative and promising technology has the

potential to create massive amounts of power. The

application of such technologies would help to pull

civilization away from non-renewable energy sources

such as coal, petroleum and natural gas.

Figure 1: Different applications

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6 NOVELTY

The project on footstep power generation using piezo-

electric crystals brings a novel and innovative ap-

proach to sustainable energy production. It presents

an exciting and groundbreaking approach to address

the world’s energy needs.

By tapping into the kinetic energy produced by

human footsteps, this project harnesses an underuti-

lized and often overlooked energy source. The utiliza-

tion of piezoelectric crystals, which convert mechani-

cal pressure into electrical energy, offers a unique and

efﬁcient method of energy conversion. Unlike tradi-

tional renewable energy sources such as solar or wind,

which rely on external factors, this project lever-

ages the inherent movement of individuals to valu-

able sources of power. This novel concept opens up a

realm of possibilities for energy harvesting in various

settings, including crowded urban environments, pub-

lic spaces, and even high-trafﬁc areas like airports or

train stations. This concept not only promotes renew-

able energy generation but also encourages the inte-

gration of energy harvesting into our urban environ-

ments.

With the potential to power various low-energy

devices and contribute to the overall reduction of car-

bon emissions, this project represents a pioneering

effort in the ﬁeld of energy harvesting and sustain-

able living. By transforming footsteps into a sustain-

able energy source, this project not only promotes re-

newable energy adoption but also encourages a more

conscious and energy-aware society. The novelty lies

in the exploration of the unconventional sources and

their integration into mainstream energy systems, pro-

viding a pathway towards a cleaner, more sustainable

future.

7 METHODOLOGY

The footstep arrangement is used to generate the elec-

tric power. Nowadays power demand has increased,

so the footstep arrangement is used to generate the

electrical power in order to compensate for the elec-

trical power demand. In this arrangement, the me-

chanical energy is converted into electrical energy.

This project makes use of piezoelectric sensors,

capacitors, bridge rectiﬁers and diodes. The piezo-

electric sensors are soldered together in series parallel

combinations and connected to various components

on the circuit board.

The footstep arrangement is used to generate the

electric power. In this arrangement, the mechanical

energy is converted into electrical energy. The work-

ing mechanics of piezoelectric sensors are shown be-

low:

Figure 2: Schematic representation of footstep

8 SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The system consists of several key components work-

ing together to achieve efﬁcient energy harvesting.

The components used in this project are piezoelec-

tric sensors, 2200 µF 16V capacitors, bridge rectiﬁer

ICs (MB10) and IN4007 diodes. The output of each

piezoelectric sensor is given to a bridge rectiﬁer and

then connected in series parallel combinations sol-

dered together. Inorder to prevent reverse ﬂow cur-

rent, a PN junction diode is placed at the end of each

combination to obtain the ﬁnal output. In order to

enhance the output power efﬁciency, non-electrical

components like sponge and silicone bumpers are

used in the circuit.

9 BLOCK DIAGRAM

The block diagram represents the ﬂow of energy con-

version and storage in the footstep power generation

system.

Figure 3: Block diagram

Footstep Power Generation

525

9.1 Network of Piezoelectric sensors

The core component of the system, piezoelectric sen-

sors, are strategically placed in areas where foot traf-

ﬁc is signiﬁcant. These sensors are typically made of

special materials, such as crystals or ceramics, that

exhibit the piezoelectric effect. When subjected to

pressure or stress, the piezoelectric materials generate

an electric charge across their surfaces, proportional

to the applied force. The piezoelectric sensors are de-

ployed in the designated areas to detect and measure

the footstep impact. These sensors are responsible for

producing voltage when footsteps are detected.

9.2 Bridge rectiﬁer

When the sensors detect a footstep, mechanical pres-

sure is applied to the piezoelectric crystals. The

piezoelectric effect causes the crystals to distort as a

result of the pressure, resulting in an electric charge.

The electric charge generated by the crystals is ini-

tially in the form of a low-voltage, high-frequency

alternating current. The bridge rectiﬁer transforms

and stabilizes the output from a pulsating AC to DC

form. It ensures that current ﬂows in a single direc-

tion, eliminating negative half-cycles and providing a

DC waveform.

9.3 Backﬂow current prevention

The 1N4007 is a standard rectiﬁer diode that allows

current to ﬂow in one direction while blocking the

ﬂow in the opposite direction. The high backward

resistance of the 1N4007 diode makes it suitable for

backﬂow current protection in the circuit. When con-

nected in series with a load, it ensures that current can

only ﬂow in the appropriate direction, protecting the

circuit from potential harm caused by polarity or cur-

rent backﬂow.

9.4 Generated voltage stored in

Capacitor/Battery

Energy storage devices, such as batteries or capaci-

tors, are used to store excess energy for later use or to

maintain a constant power supply. The rectiﬁed DC

voltage output of the bridge rectiﬁer is connected to

the capacitor. The capacitor is an energy storage de-

vice. It charges and retains the electrical energy gen-

erated by the piezoelectric sensors. It smoothes the

DC waveform, eliminating voltage ﬂuctuations and

delivering a more steady output.

10 PROTOTYPE DESIGN

A small scale representation of our project is im-

plemented through a prototype design. The design

involves arranging piezoelectric sensors in a series-

parallel conﬁguration, with six sensors connected in

series, and 44 of these connected in parallel. The

piezos are mounted between two wooden boards and

it bolted with four screws, one at each corner with a

spring placed on each screw. Each piezoelectric sen-

sor is positioned on a sponge and equipped with a sil-

icone bumper mounted on top.

Figure 4: Top view of project

Figure 5: Inside view of project

Figure 6: Side view of the project

11 IMPLEMENTATION

In the footstep power generation system using piezo-

electric crystals, an array of piezoelectric sensors is

employed to convert the applied pressure into electri-

cal energy. As people walk over the sensors, their

weight exerts pressure on them, causing the piezo-

electric crystals to deform and generate an alternating

voltage.

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To convert the alternating voltage into a direct cur-

rent (DC) voltage, a bridge circuit is utilized. The

bridge circuit consists of diodes and resistors arranged

in a speciﬁc conﬁguration. It rectiﬁes the alternating

voltage, converting it into a unidirectional ﬂow of cur-

rent, thereby generating a DC voltage.

To prevent the backﬂow of current and ensure a

one-way ﬂow, a diode is placed after the series paral-

lel combination of sensors. This diode acts as a check

valve, allowing the current to ﬂow in one direction

while blocking any reverse ﬂow.

The output DC voltage, obtained after the bridge

circuit and diode, is then stored in a capacitor. The

capacitor serves as an energy storage device, allow-

ing the system to store and accumulate the generated

electrical energy over time.

This stored energy can be used to power various

low-energy devices or can be further conditioned and

distributed for other applications.

12 TESTING AND

OBSERVATIONS

After the ﬁnal assembly, we moved into the testing

process of the project. Our project has a combination

of 50 piezoelectric sensors, in which 6 are connected

in series and the rest of the sensors are connected par-

allel to them in such a way that we have the highest

output efﬁciency. This design of the project was cho-

sen after going through the observations given below:

Table 1: Power Generation at different weights

Sl. No. Weight(Kg) Voltage(V) Power(mW)

1 20 0.1 0

2 40 3 0.012

3 60 9 0.06

4 80 12 0.138

The voltages formed across the piezoelectric ef-

fect, as well as the quantity of current that passes

through them are measured. When different pressures

and stresses were evaluated on the piezoelectric ele-

ment, different voltage readings were observed that

corresponded to those same different pressures and

strains. Different values of weight ranging from 20Kg

to 120Kg with intervals of 20 Kg have been tested as

shown in Table 1.

Figure 7: Weight(Kg) versus Voltage(V) graph

13 RESULTS

After conducting thorough research on various types

of piezoelectric sensors available in the market, we

determined that a 27mm diameter sensor was the

more suitable for our project as compared to the

21mm diameter sensor. To optimize power genera-

tion, we conducted experiments with different series

and parallel connections of the sensors.

At ﬁrst, we used a bridge of IN4007 diodes for

full wave rectiﬁcation in our circuit and on further

research we found that the power consumption was

considerably less for a MB10 bridge rectiﬁer IC.

During our extensive research, we made a signif-

icant breakthrough by discovering that bending the

sensors slightly, rather than applying direct pressure,

resulted in increased power output. This phenomenon

occurs because bending the piezoelectric sensors not

only applies stress but also takes into account the

strain on the sensor, resulting in higher voltage pro-

duction compared to a single sensor.

This breakthrough was the missing piece of the

puzzle for our project. In order to achieve the desired

bending effect without damaging the sensors, we in-

troduced the use of a sponge beneath each sensor and

a silicone bumper on top. These additional compo-

nents allowed us to achieve the desired bending effect

without compromising the integrity of the sensors.

14 FUTURE SCOPE

As the consumption of energy grows, the population

depends more and more on fossil fuels such as coal,

oil and gas day by day. There is a need to secure the

energy supply for the future due to the price hike as

well as the growing depletion rate of these fuels. This

is where the importance of non - conventional energy

sources comes into play.

For densely populated nations such as India and

China, where roads, railway stations, bus stops, tem-

ples, and other public places are overcrowded with

Footstep Power Generation

527

millions of people constantly moving around, this

project may help to harness the energy lost through

our footsteps, which can then be put to good use. The

proposal for the utilization of power generation via

human locomotion is very relevant and important.

15 ADVANTAGES

Footstep power generation captures the energy from

human footsteps to create renewable electricity, read-

ily available in public places and high-trafﬁc areas.

This innovative approach efﬁciently taps into under-

utilized energy that would otherwise go waste, con-

tributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy

mix. This project reduces carbon emissions and our

reliance on fossil fuels making it a smart and eco-

friendly way to power our world.

16 DRAWBACKS

Footstep power generation heavily relies on a steady

ﬂow of foot trafﬁc to produce enough energy. In ar-

eas with low foot trafﬁc, the power output may not

be signiﬁcant, which limits its effectiveness in such

locations. Additionally, the amount of energy gener-

ated from each footstep is relatively low, making it

better suited for low-power applications rather than

high-energy-demand situations.

Footstep power generation systems can face me-

chanical wear and tear due to the continuous impact

and pressure of footsteps. This can impact the dura-

bility and lifespan of system components, necessitat-

ing regular maintenance and replacement. Moreover,

the power output can ﬂuctuate due to individual fac-

tors like weight and walking patterns, posing chal-

lenges in predicting and stabilizing power generation

levels.

17 CONCLUSION

The project described is a well-balanced energy gen-

eration concept that is simple to set up and apply. If

implemented on a wide scale, this concept can be used

as an alternative for power supply. This can also be

used in locations where there is a high demand for

energy conservation. The main component of this ap-

proach is mechanical stress or pressure, which occurs

naturally in most settings. This strategy can be effec-

tively used in overcrowded areas such as roadways,

railway stations, bus stops, temples and other public

avenues where millions of people walk around all the

time.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our gratitude to the Prin-

cipal, Dr. Jacob Thomas V and our Head of the De-

partment, Dr. Mini M G for providing us all the nec-

essary facilities. We would also like to thank the Mini

Project Co-ordinator, Mr. Pradeep M, Associate Pro-

fessor for his valuable help and support. We acknowl-

edge the use of ChatGPT, which contributed to the

content curation and reﬁnement of our ideas through

insightful conversations and suggestions.

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