Power Generation System using Human Foot Step

AbstractWith this alarming rate of demand, we need other

alternative sources of electricity. A number of research is ongoing
to find out alternative power generation source. Some of them
need other energy source, some other need expensive procedure.
In this situation, if human activity can produce electricity that
would be a significant contribution to the research of power
generation from alternative sources. Especially in over populated
area of the world and in public places for example, bus or train
stations, market where every minute couple of hundred people
walk by. This collective peoples footsteps can be used for power
generation without causing any harm to people and environment.
In this paper, the way of generating power from human footsteps
using piezo electric technology has been described. If piezo sensor
can be structured on floor and human walks on the floor, the
electrical energy produced by the pressure of the footsteps is
captured by floor sensors and converted to an electrical charge
by piezo transducers, then stored and used as a power source.
In this paper, the details of the complete procedure of power
generation using piezo electric technology has been described.
Index TermsHuman activity, Alternative power source.

I. I NTRODUCTION
Day by day, the population of the world is increasing and
the requirement of the power has also been increased. At the
same time the wastage of energy is high. But conventional
resources for power generation are now not enough to
support this extremely high demand of electrical energy. As
technology is developed and the use of gadgets, electronic
devices also increased. Power generation using conservative
methods becoming deficient. Therefore, many researchers
and engineers are working on to find out sustainable
non-conventional ways for power generation. There is a
necessity arises for a different power generation method. At
the same time energy is many other form is being wasted
due to human locomotion and many ways. In this regard,
converting some usual form of energy to electricity has
gained massive attention.Foot step power generation system
is a non-conventional electrical energy production system. It
converts mechanical energy of foot step into electrical energy
by using transducers. In this foot step power generation
project is designed to convert foot step, walking and running
energy into electrical energy. It is used to generate electricity
from by walking or running on foot step. This power
generation system can become very popular among populated
countries like Pakistan, china, India. It can be implemented
on roads, bus stations and many public places. Although
this system is little bit expensive, but it can make a huge
difference in electrical power generation of country. As we
know generation of any form of energy is just to convert
some other form of energy. Therefore, energy is existing, we
are just not using it. Just a little initiative of covering the

floor with proper piezo electric material can convert pressure

generated by human footsteps and convert them to electricity.
This could be just the initiative, later other human activities
such as running over treadmill can be also used for power
generation.
The main motivation of this project is to generate voltage
using human locomotion which is a very potential source
of sustainable source of energy. Using this system, human
activity in crowded places like bus stands, theaters, railway
stations, shopping malls, etc. can be converted to electricity.
This power generation system can become very popular
among populated countries like china, India, Bangladesh.
Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations of existing
solutions, the significant contribution of this works are as
following
Design a system to convert kinetic energy produced by
human locomotion into a sustainable alternative source
of energy.
The system must be cost effective, easy and safe to put
in a crowded place and generated energy can be easily
stored in transportable store.
To evaluate the performance of proposed system with
other existing system through a comparative analysis.
The remainder of this paper is structured as follows. Section
II gives an overview of related work. Section III further
elaborates on the principle of the proposed procedure.
Section IV and V describe the proposed technology, its
multi-layered architecture. Section VI evaluates proposed
procedure and some challenges those has to be solved during
our work. Finally, section VII concludes this paper with some
remarks and discussion regarding future research on this topic.

II. STATE OF ART

Number of initiatives have been taken to use piezo electric
technology for power generation. K. Boby et al.[1] has
studied a number of various piezo electric material and shows
that PZT is superior in characteristics for substantial power
generation. In their work they have found that the voltage
from PZT is around 2 V where as that of PVDF is around
0.4V.We can thus conclude that better output is obtained from
the PZT than the PVDF . In this paper, they also have found
that the weight applied on the tile and corresponding voltage
generated is studied and they are found to have linear relation.
The work proposed by T. Diskshit et al. [2], has designed a
crystal structure of piezoelectric component in order to boost
up piezoelectric energy harvesting. The concept of combining
two energy sources piezoelectric energy and electromagnetic

energy has been proposed in the paper. In this paper, they

also have describes different sources of vibration and pressure
created by human footsteps such as power generation Boots
or Shoes, floor mats, tiles, carpets, dance club, gym and
workplaces.
MIT (USA) architecture students James Graham and Thaddeus
Jusczyk recently unveiled what theyre calling the Crowd
Farm, a setup that would derive energy from pounding
feet in crowded places. This technology is a proposal to
harness human power as a source of sustainable energy.
The technology would turn the mechanical energy of people
walking or jumping into a source of electricity. It has been
demonstrated that piezoceramic source imbedded in a shoe
insole for power generation [3]. However this approach has
not been welcomed due to cost efficiency, price and comfort
of shoes.
III. PRINCIPLE FOR PIOZO ELECTRONIC ENERGY
HARVESTING
There are two types of piezoelectric effect, direct piezoelectric effect and inverse piezoelectric effect [2]. The difference
between them is that direct piezoelectric effect is derived
from materials generating electric potential when mechanical
stress is applied and the inverse piezoelectric effect implies
materials deformation when an electric field is applied. In our
proposed energy harvesting methodology via Piezoelectricity
uses direct piezoelectric effect. In this section, we describe
the methodology and theoretical background of our proposed
system.
Foot step power generation system basically converts force
energy of human locomotion into electrical energy by using
piezoelectric sensor. Piezoelectric sensor is transducer which
converts force energy into electrical energy [4],[5]. Array of
sensors should be connected in series to generate reasonable
amount of electrical power. For example 10 piezoelectric
sensors are connected in series; they will generate 9 volt
and 100mA current. The output voltages of these sensors
are controlled by filters. This new way is based on the
principle PIEZOELECTRICITY which depicts that any mechanical stress or pressure is applied on certain crystals, an
electrical potential is developed over the crystal lattice. This
electrical potential generates electrical voltage. Our proposed
System uses PIEZOELECTRICITY to generate voltage by
sensing foot step on an array of piezoelectric sensor. Sensor
has converted kinetic from human locomotion into electrical
energy. So A.C voltages generated by the sensors are converted
in to D.C voltages with rectifier. Either half wave rectifier or
full wave rectifier can be used for this purpose. However, full
wave rectifier because it gives full value. So A.C voltages are
converted in to D.C voltages with this rectifier. Using battery
charger circuit it is possible to charge the battery and this D.C
voltages is stored in the lead acid battery of 12 volt.
Lead acid battery of 12 volt which is charged is now further
connected to the inverter. As we have D.C voltages stored in
the battery but we need A.C voltages because mostly load

need A.C voltages so by using the inverter circuit which is

such designed that it inverts the voltages from battery which
is 12 volt D.C to 220 volt A.C voltages. So this A.C voltage
is used in different appliances such as for charging the laptop
battery and also to charge the handset, it can also be used to
lightening up the energy savor. If we need more power from
this technique then used more steps for more electric current,
and also increase the connection of piezoelectric sensor which
is connected parallel and series combination and by vibrating
with the help of footsteps gives electrical power which is
in the form of electric current. Then ability of battery and
inverter should be increased, battery should be of high current
and voltages and inverter is such designed that it convert that
electrical power to A.C voltages and also no loss in it, then
output power will be increased and can be used more electrical
appliances and also can be used such appliances which need
more electric current.
From Newtonss first law we know, pressure or force is directly
proportional to weight
F = mg

(1)

For a person with 55Kg weight, we can get F= 55 9.8 = 539

N In walking this force would be up to 1.5 times your body
weight while in running it might increase to between 2.0 and
2.9 times your body weight [6]. Therefore the exerted force,
Fs = (1.5+[(2+2.9)/2])/2 F
= 1.9 F =5391.9=1024N
As we know, J= Fs, Therefore, if the displacements between
sensors is 0.001m, the energy is P =1.024J =0.2048 watt, when
every step is in 5 sec.
From piezo electric effect we get [7]
V =

d33 Fs l
0 r A

(2)

Where,k3 = d33 / 0 = 12 and r = 1200 [7]

For 1cm x 1cm x 1mm sensor disk, we get voltage generated
per meter and lets assume for each step it needs to cross 6
sensors.
12 1024 0.001
V =
= 17.06V
(3)
120 0.001 6
Therefore, the current I = P/V =0.2048/17.06=0.012 amp
IV. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY
The system architecture block diagram for the proposed
system has been depicted in Fig. [1]. We have made significant
improvement than existing system described in [8]. From Fig
[1], we can see that, we have used bridge rectifier in order to
convert AC voltage as the output of array of piezo sensors.
Therefore, we got rid of the negative voltage wastage of the
AC sine wave. This has improved the amount of generated
voltage two times. In addition, we have used a sample hold
circuit between the capacitor (C) and switch (S). This switch
(S) prevent capacitor to get discharged itself automatically.
On the other hand, it is controllable in our system using S
to regulate the change storage in capacitor. Another design
flaw in existing system is, most existing system are designed

for domestic purpose and often has not gone through enough
productization procedure. Therefore, in existing system an
additional power supply is used in order to provide energy
to the micro controller. However, this will make the system
extremely expensive and every time, it needs to make sure
the availability of additional power supply. However we have
consider this flaw with attention and in our system circuit
design, we have stored the output of bridge rectifier into a
rechargeable battery and through a voltage regulator we have
passed this generated voltage to microcontroller. Therefore, in
our system there is no necessity for additional power supply.
We have added LCD in our system design which display
the number of step and the amount of generated voltage and
current. We have programmed a piece of software using c++
as well as assembly language to work on microcontroller and
count the number of step and measure the amount of generated
voltage as well as current.

Voltages generated by piezoelectric sensors are feed to

sample and hold circuit elements to get filtered. The main
function of the sample and hold circuit is to sample an
analog i/p signal and hold this value over a particular
length of time for subsequent processing. Sample and
hold circuit is designed using only one capacitor and one
MOS transistor.
Next step is to convert AC voltage to Dc Voltage.
The output D.C is smoothen using AC Ripple Neutralizer
and kept constant until the load and mains voltage is
constant.
Diodes or unidirectional current controller will make the
flow of current which is the final output of sample and
hold circuit in one direction only by conducting in one
direction only. It is used to protect back current to array
of sensors.
Voltage divider lowers the voltage to the level of microcontroller. We cant fed 12 volt directly to microcontroller. Voltage divider is used to divide the voltage.
After that pic microcontroller reads the analog voltage
and displays on the LCD.
Micro-controller is used for all measurement and conditional check.
Finally, output energy is stored in batteries.

Eventually, we have designed and implemented the system as

described in Fig [2]

Fig. 1. Block Diagram of Piozoelectronic energy harvesting circuit using

Human footstep.

From the picture, it can be seen that the main component

for the proposed system are as following
1) Microcontroller (PIC16F877A)
2) Main Circuit
3) LCD display
4) Mobile Battery
5) Rechargeable Battery
6) Sensor
7) Carpet
8) Circuit to convert AC voltage to DC Voltage
9) Multi-meter
10) Shoe sole
Working of footstep power generation system consists of
following main steps:
Piezoelectric sensor interfaced with microcontroller and
used as a transducer to convert force energy into electrical
energy. It is consists of large number of Piezoelectric
sensors connected in series. Kinetic energy of series
connected transducers is converted into electrical energy.

Fig. 2. Our proposed system circuit.

V. CHALLENGES IN EXISTING SYSTEM AND

PROPOSED SOLUTION
While implementing the proposed system, we came to the
following challenges
A. Connecting the sensors to get maximum voltage
In existing system using piezo electric element, one of the
common challenges is to maximize the voltage. In this project
we have used series-parallel connection between the piezo
sensors. The benefits of using series connection over parallel
connection is, although amount generated voltage from a

series connection is more than that from parallel connection.

However the current obtained from series connection is less
than that from parallel connection. Therefore, for optimum
voltage and current a series-parallel connection is perfect
where a good voltage as well as current can be obtained [1].

D. Microcontroller cannot receive voltage above 5V

In order make the solution really cost effective and light
to place we have used micro-controller. We also used voltage
regulator 7805 (05 means it only sends 5V to a device).Using
voltage regulator helps to control the amount of voltage.
E. Record Performance

Fig. 3. The connected sensors of our System.

The main motivation of our system, is to design a system

that can be an alternative source of sustainable energy.
Therefore, it needs performance monitoring which can
answer some question such as 1) How many step can
generate 1V? 2) How much voltage generated in 1 hour? 3)
How many steps has been taken in per m2? Which can be
used to understand the population passage by the test field and
which can be used one of the significant business decision.
We have evaluated the performance of our proposed system
prototype by using microcontroller and LCD. This sensor
gives .1 voltage when only step has been taken. Here we
are showing the step number that is approximately received
by all of the sensors not that one that is received by the system.
VI. HARDWARE IMPLEMENTATION

B. Placing the sensors one perfect position so strictly

Another main limitations of existing solutions is placing
the sensor inside shoes for a person and that can use the
human locomotion energy of a single person and is very
negligible in amount also cannot be stored for further usage.
Therefore, the existing solutions failed to be a candidate of
productaization. However, our main goal is to make efficient
usage of mass population human movement and generate
an optimum amount of energy, so that we can productized
another sustainable source of energy. With this motivation.
We have used carpet and place our circuit under the carpet.
While developing, we had faced a challenge as the circuits
are small in size and it needs certain amount of pressure
to be put on the middle of the censor. To emphasize the
pressure generated by human feet to a certain level, we have
used Shoe sole and very small pin to place it on the carpet
on a perfect position strictly. The pins is not harmful for
any step. We did not use gum because gum damages the
function of the sensor. Tape was also not effective. We also
put a fat small part of shoe sole on the middle of every sensor.

C. Getting positive negative voltage

In traditional system, half of the generated AC current are
wasted as the negative wave of the AC Sine wave can not be
stored. In order to get rid of this wastage, we have used bridge
rectifier that converts AC voltage to DC voltage. In this way,
it has become possible to get the complete generated voltage
without any wastage. This modification improves the amount
of generated voltage twice than the existing system [1].

A Circuit diagram is shown in Fig [2]. Its the Circuit

diagram of our project by carefully following this circuit
diagram we can make the power generation system so easily
.Here all the components that are needed for this project is
connected so as all these can perform their jobs perfectly
and make the foot step power generation system. Here a volt
Metter is added with the circuit as the destination component
where we will send the produced electricity. This volt Metter
will show the produced amount of electricity in digital form.
The Switch there completes the circuit. When it is ON the
circuit completes and electricity goes to the volt Metter.
Here is Fig-3 [9] the circuit diagram is the diagram that
we have drown using Proteus 8.1 Software for simulation.
We have also run simulation on this circuit diagram, and it
is running properly. Proteus 8.1: We use Proteus software
to create electronic circuit schematic and then simulate our
project before implement our project into real application. Proteus software offers many tools and microcontroller program
support. So many user can simulate their project plan before
implement to real condition.
In the circuit diagram we spited the main circuit for better
understanding. Our proposed system main circuit is shown in
Fig [4]
VII. SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION
Coding is the main part of this project. A full complete code
or program would give life to all components that are used
in this project. Here we r going to use Assembly Language
as the programming language. Mainly the micro-controller
PIC16F877A would be programmed for various purpose like,
Firstly it would instructed to receive the voltage send by
the piezoelectric sensor.

Fig. 4. Circuit Diagram of Power Generation System using Micro-controller from Human Foot Step.

Initialize the LED and ADC and show a welcome massage.

Is there is battery is receiving voltage from piezoelectric
sensor LED would display battery charging.
When the Switch is on and there is charge on battery the
component (destination device) would receive charge or
electricity otherwise not.
Also we would try to program the micro-controller such
that it can make the LED to show the number of foots
that is stepped on the Sensor at a certain duration of
time. Finally, we have designed and implemented the
system as described in Fig [3]

The flow chart of the software has been described in Fig 2

VIII. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
The most significant contribution of this system is that we
have generated twice voltage from existing system. Table
1 shows a comparative performance analysis between our
proposed systems against the prototype described by Boby,
K. et al.[1] In this table, the impact of weight of human on
the amount of generated power for has been described. Table
1: Comparative analysis between our proposed system and
System proposed in [1]
Gender Age
Weight
Foot
Power
Power
(Kg)
Size
(Watt)
(Watt)
(Inches)
Boby
Our
K. et al
Proposed
System
Female 25
40
8.2
0.48
0.8896
Female 23
45
7.5
0.57
1.0758
Male
25
50
8.5
0.6
1.6862
Female 32
55
8
0.63
1.9048
Female 38
60
8.5
0.7
2.0344
Male
26
72
9
0.81 2.26068
Male
25
78
9.5
0.9
2.6793
.

Fig. 5. Flow Chart for the software implementation.

Here the voltage reading is converted into watt by using the

following formula ,
E = 1/2 V V C

(4)

Here, E=Total produced Energy in Jule ,

V=Voltage produced by the system in Volt ,
C=Capacitor charge in F
1W h = 3600J

(5)

From Table 1, we can see that in our proposed system,

the ration of generated power to the human weight has

been increased significantly. Siti Sarah et al. [10] has

been described that, in their proposed system, they run an
experiment to record voltage on each 10 step up to 150 steps
and the peak voltage produced is 10.01 Volts and the lowest
is 6.41 Volts. On average, in each 10 steps, this system can
produce 8.14 Volts. We have run the similar experiment. Fig.
[4]. In our proposed system, the average generated voltage is
10.16143. Therefore, we have improved the performance by
25 percent. The trendline in the Figure shows the performance
of our proposed system s much better than existing.

Fig. 6. Comparative analysis of generated voltage (V) in each 10 steps.

IX. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE DISCUSSION

This project is cost effective, flexible and safe for putting in
public. Therefore, piezoelectric energy harvesting is definitely
promising source of alternative energy. We have designed
the prototype and the workflow of electromechanical system
has been demonstrated, therefore, it is possible to evaluate
its expected performances for a particular setup considering
the area, temperature and number of footstep in a casual day.
We have also tested the safety of this system. Therefore, our
system ready to be productization in any public places and
can generate significant amount of energy.

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