Paving slabs harness energy of pedestrians

Pavegen Systems has created technology to harvest energy from the footfall of passers-by and use it to power nearby electrical devices.

The flexible paving slabs, invented by Laurence Kembal-Cook, absorb the energy created by pedestrians and turn it into electricity that can be used to power lights, computers, automatic doors, tube station ticket machines, shop frontages and train and bus timetables.

The slabs are going into six-month trials in locations throughout the UK in 2010, including local authorities, schools and airports. Limited trials took that place across East London came to an end in August.