An Indiana high school has installed floor tiles that generate electricity every time students or school staff walk over them.
The tiles were developed by UK-based Pavegen and installed late last month at Bloomington High School South, the first public institution in the United States to give the devices a try.
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“It makes renewable energy accessible and understandable because it’s tangible,” said Amanda Figolah, the environmental science teacher who led the project. “They get to actually see exactly how much power their steps are creating and it’s made them start to think more about sustainable energy in other aspects of their lives.”
The school’s four Pavegen modules cover 20 to 30 square feet and power two nearby light displays. “As students walk across the hall, the display lights up,” Indiana Daily Student reports. “Soon, the tiles will also be used to power a phone charging station and a television.”
While the tiles generate only a small amount of electricity, “their main purpose is to educate students about alternative forms of energy and get them excited about sustainability.”
“I knew about climate change and everything but didn’t really care,” said South student Alison Erman. “I’ve always thought that I don’t have to worry about it, I’m just a kid. But now that I’m growing up I know that I have to do something.” (h/t to Midwest Energy News for pointing us to this story)
