Pavegen, the British clean-tech company, has launched an innovative flooring system that creates energy from footsteps.

The technology, called V3, was unveiled in New York today (19 September) by the company and London mayor Sadiq Khan, who is in the US on a trade mission.

The multi-functional paving provides multiple options to integrate renewable energy production into urban spaces. According to Pavegen, the technology has implications across sectors, including sport, hospitality and attractions. It is designed particularly for public spaces with high foot traffic, including retail and transport hubs, and can be integrated into Smart Cities to power things like street lighting.

The technology works through the transformation of kinetic energy from people’s footsteps into electricity through electromagnetic induction. When used continuously, the paving can generate up to five watts of power, and can be attached to a battery to store energy as it is used.

The V3’s triangular slabs – made from steel and recycled aluminium – are designed to be durable and easily deployable, and include an LED matrix that can power lighting through foot traffic.

“Expanding into the USA is not only a huge step for Pavegen, but also for the renewable energy sector - spreading the importance of sustainability across the globe and providing with electricity when and where it is needed,” said Pavegen CEO and founder Laurence Kemball-Cook. “Our technology allows people to fully interact with clean-tech and influence others to convert to cleaner methods of energy generation.”

In May, Pavegen partnered with mobile technology and entertainment company Tribal Planet to create a digital application which monitors the energy generated on each Pavegen tile at certain public venues around the world. The data is used to predict peak timings and prime locations, monitor directional flow and analysis movement patterns.

An accompanying app includes a ‘redeem and donate’ scheme, whereby the energy generated by each individual’s footsteps is tracked, and provides them with an energy currency that can be redeemed for exclusive experiences and access to events, or donated to social causes.

Pavegen has collaborated with celebrities such as Will.I.Am, Akon and Pelé to promote the product.