Leighton Buzzard Train Station Creates Energy from Footsteps

A technology that uses kinetic energy from commuters’ footstep has been introduced at Leighton Buzzard train station in a UK’s first.

16:10 14 April 2021

Central Bedfordshire Council has partnered with Pavegen to introduce a system that converts energy from people’s footsteps into electrical power at Leighton Buzzard train station. The scheme, which is funded by the Department for Transport, is the first of its kind in the UK and aims to encourage other transport hubs to follow suit.

 

Leighton Buzzard Train Station now has two Pavegen walkways made of kinetic floor tiles, which converts footsteps of 1.75million passengers travelling to and from Leighton Buzzard into energy. The scheme also aims to raise awareness for sustainability and the organisations dedicated to it.

 

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “Projects such as Pavegen are so important as we look to level-up local areas across the UK and build back greener following the pandemic.

 

“Putting your foot to the floor in a car has always been a way of generating power. But now, with this fantastic piece of British technology, you can do it simply by walking along a stretch of pavement and in a green and clean way, too.”

 

Laurence Kemball-Cook, CEO, Pavegen: “Pavegen is very proud to be part of this pilot project. We are excited at the prospect of helping to drive a national rollout to create a greener, more sustainable transport network for the UK. Pavegen engages and inspires communities while highlighting the benefits of sustainability in a memorable and interactive way.

 

“In addition, we have evolved our product to create a new and engaging mobile app platform to create a way for transport hubs to reward their passengers for the footsteps they use. These rewards could be used to encourage footfall and get people back to retail, leisure or hospitality sections of the UK’s larger train stations. This is without losing site of the purpose, using footsteps to create clean electricity for off-grid, bespoke solutions.”