/technologies/power-management/b/blog/posts/japan-s-sidewalks-converts-human-footsteps-into-useable-electricity(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons ) Wind and sunlight are the most common sources of renewable energy, powering turbines and solar panels worldwide. Japan and other countries are now tapping a subtler source: footsteps on piezoelectric sidewalks to geen-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/technologies/power-management/b/blog/posts/japan-s-sidewalks-converts-human-footsteps-into-useable-electricityThu, 05 Mar 2026 20:22:19 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:78e74c90-5a77-4015-88ef-3a1f3925824dDAB1<p>Even in high traffic areas, it would take a long time to repay the costs of installation and I don&#39;t even want to think about how much maintenance this type of system might require.</p><img src="https://community.element14.com/aggbug?PostID=29562&AppID=4&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">https://community.element14.com/technologies/power-management/b/blog/posts/japan-s-sidewalks-converts-human-footsteps-into-useable-electricityWed, 04 Mar 2026 12:18:06 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:78e74c90-5a77-4015-88ef-3a1f3925824dchloro0<blockquote data-start="54" data-end="387"> <p data-start="56" data-end="387">So basically every time I miss my train and run across the station, I&rsquo;m secretly powering Japan&rsquo;s electricity grid?&nbsp;[emoticon:0f36700dfeb3494fa10d47dd9e1f90a1]<br data-start="174" data-end="177" /> Imagine a display board saying: <em data-start="211" data-end="317">&ldquo;This station is currently powered by 3 late commuters, 2 tourists, and one guy chasing the last train.&rdquo;</em><br data-start="317" data-end="320" /> Pretty cool idea though, turning everyday footsteps into energy!</p> </blockquote><img src="https://community.element14.com/aggbug?PostID=29562&AppID=4&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">