Piezoelectric floors in Tokyo and how much a step generates

Floors that generate power from footsteps are circulating again as a sustainable city idea. In a video reposted from The Energy Shift, piezoelectric tiles in Tokyo turn steps into electricity, with a caption saying one step can light 10 bulbs for 20 seconds. The post itself notes the technology will not replace solar or wind.

The best documented test comes from JR East. In the trial at the Yaesu North gate of Tokyo Station, from January to March 2008, the target was more than 1.0 watt-second per person at the ticket gate and 500 kilowatt-seconds per day, enough to run a 100 W bulb for 80 minutes. In the 2006 trial, output dropped from the third week, after about 800,000 passages.

The energy gain is small and the wear is mechanical. On a floor walked by millions, whoever pays for replacing and maintaining the modules decides whether the system lasts beyond the launch.

The use that makes the numbers work is low power: sensors, signage and public engagement. As an energy source, the yardstick is different.