Walking into the future: Energy Harvesting from Foot Fall

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This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 17 | 01 | Page :
    By

    Ramkumar Tadgure,

  • Omkar Jadhav,

  • Danish Pinjari,

  • Abhishek Rahane,

  1. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Parvatibai Genba Moze College of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  2. Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Parvatibai Genba Moze College of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  3. Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Parvatibai Genba Moze College of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  4. Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Parvatibai Genba Moze College of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The rapid depletion of non-renewable energy resources and the rising demand for sustainable alternatives have led to the exploration of innovative energy harvesting technologies. One such approach is harnessing the untapped mechanical energy produced by human footfalls in crowded public areas. This project presents a novel method of electricity generation using a flywheel-based mechanical system that captures and converts footstep energy into electrical energy. The system is designed to be embedded beneath specially designed floor tiles where the vertical pressure from a human step is transformed into rotational energy. This rotational energy is transferred to a flywheel via a mechanical linkage, such as a spring-loaded cam, gear, or lever mechanism. As the flywheel spins, it stores kinetic energy, which is then used to drive a DC generator or dynamo connected to the same shaft. After passing via a rectifier and voltage regulator, the produced electrical energy can be stored in a bank of capacitors or a rechargeable battery. Low-voltage gadgets like LED lights, fans, or sensors can then be powered by this stored energy. Experimental results demonstrated that a single footstep could produce rotational speeds of 300–500 RPM depending on the flywheel design and gear ratio, leading to an average electrical output of 3–7 volts. The overall efficiency and energy output Prof. Ramkumar Tadgure PGMCOE, Wagholi, Pune. 1 increased significantly with the use of a heavier flywheel and optimized gearing system. This technology is particularly applicable in locations with high foot traffic, such as railway stations, shopping malls, schools, airports, and stadiums, where continuous human movement can be converted into useful energy. Unlike piezoelectric systems, which generate small voltages and are limited by material fatigue, the flywheel mechanism offers better energy storage, mechanical durability, and long-term efficiency. This project proves the potential of converting simple mechanical motion into meaningful electrical power in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. With further improvements in design, cost optimization, and integration, the flywheel-based energy harvesting floor system could contribute meaningfully to distributed power generation in smart infrastructure.

Keywords: Footstep Energy Harvesting, Flywheel-Based Power Generation ,Mechanical Energy Conversion, Sustainable Energy Systems , Human-Powered Electricity

How to cite this article:
Ramkumar Tadgure, Omkar Jadhav, Danish Pinjari, Abhishek Rahane. Walking into the future: Energy Harvesting from Foot Fall. Journal of Alternate Energy Sources & Technologies. 2026; 17(01):-.
How to cite this URL:
Ramkumar Tadgure, Omkar Jadhav, Danish Pinjari, Abhishek Rahane. Walking into the future: Energy Harvesting from Foot Fall. Journal of Alternate Energy Sources & Technologies. 2026; 17(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/joaest/article=2026/view=238796


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 17
01
Received 11/11/2025
Accepted 04/12/2025
Published 12/03/2026
Publication Time 121 Days
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