IOT BASED FOOTSTEP ENERGY HARVESTING AND
MONITORING SYSTEM ACADEMIC YEAR: 2025-26
Abstract
The proposed project focuses on developing an IoT-enabled energy harvesting system using
piezoelectric technology. The system captures energy from pedestrian footsteps in high-
footfall areas such as railway stations, bus terminals, markets, and pedestrian crossings. The
generated energy is stored in super capacitors or rechargeable batteries and used to power
low-power devices such as LED streetlights, information displays, and USB charging
stations. An ESP32 microcontroller collects real-time energy data and transmits it wirelessly
to a cloud-based platform for monitoring and performance analysis. This system aims to
promote sustainable urban infrastructure by providing a renewable, cost-effective energy
solution for densely populated areas..
Introduction
In today’s rapidly urbanizing world, the demand for clean, renewable, and distributed energy
solutions is growing at an unprecedented pace. Traditional energy systems often struggle to
meet the needs of crowded public areas, especially in developing regions where electricity
supply can be unreliable. While solar and wind power are well-established renewable
sources, their effectiveness is limited in shaded, indoor, or densely congested environments.
This gap calls for alternative, location-adaptable energy solutions.
Piezoelectric energy harvesting presents a unique opportunity to tap into the kinetic energy
generated by pedestrians. By embedding piezoelectric sensors within flooring systems, the
mechanical stress from footsteps can be converted into electrical energy. This method is
particularly suited to high-footfall locations such as railway stations, bus terminals, markets,
and pedestrian crossings. Countries like Japan have already demonstrated the feasibility of
this technology by successfully powering station lighting and signage using piezoelectric
systems.
The proposed IoT-enabled energy harvesting system builds on this concept by not only
generating and storing energy but also enabling intelligent performance tracking. The
harvested energy will be stored in supercapacitors or rechargeable batteries and used for
powering low-power devices such as LED streetlights, information displays, and USB
DEPARTMENT OF ECE, BIT
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IOT BASED FOOTSTEP ENERGY HARVESTING AND
MONITORING SYSTEM ACADEMIC YEAR: 2025-26
charging stations. An ESP32 microcontroller will facilitate real-time data collection and
wireless transmission to a cloud-based platform.
This integrated approach will allow performance monitoring, environmental benefit
estimation, and optimal deployment analysis. By combining renewable energy harvesting
with IoT-based analytics, the project aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions
and advance smart city initiatives. It aims to provide a sustainable, cost-effective, and
scalable energy solution for densely populated urban spaces.
Literature Review
1. Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting in Public Spaces
Kim, S. et al. (2023). Renewable Energy Journal, 215, 1234–1245.
This paper reviews urban-scale applications of piezoelectric systems, highlighting their
potential in transportation hubs and public walkways
2. IoT Integration for Renewable Energy Monitoring
Wang, L. & Singh, A. (2022). IEEE Access, 10, 45231–45242
This study discusses real-time data collection, analytics, and remote monitoring for
renewable energy systems using IoT platforms
3. Super capacitor Storage for Intermittent Energy Sources
Patel, R. & Zhao, Y. (2021). Energy Storage Materials, 37, 215–223.
This paper focuses on using supercapacitors for short-term, high-cycle energy storage in
micro-generation systems.
4. Case Study: Footstep Power Generation in Tokyo Railway Stations
Ito, M. (2021). Smart Cities Review, 8(4), 58–66.
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IOT BASED FOOTSTEP ENERGY HARVESTING AND
MONITORING SYSTEM ACADEMIC YEAR: 2025-26
Japan has successfully deployed piezoelectric tiles in high-footfall train stations, generating
enough daily energy to power LED lights and signage. Reports indicate strong public
acceptance, with users appreciating the integration of clean energy into public infrastructure.
This demonstrates both the technical feasibility and societal readiness for such systems.
5. DC-DC Power Conditioning for Low-Voltage Harvesters
Ahmed, K. & Thomas, P. (2020). IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 35(9), 9250–
9260.
This paper describes efficient power conversion in small-scale energy harvesting uses
methods like MPPT and low-power DC-DC converters to maximize output. Proper
impedance matching further reduces losses, ensuring more energy is stored for practical use.
Objectives
• To design and develop a cost-effective pedestrian footstep energy harvesting system
based on piezoelectric technology, capable of efficiently converting the mechanical
stress generated by human footsteps into usable electrical energy for small-scale
applications.
• To store the harvested energy in high-capacity supercapacitors or rechargeable
batteries, ensuring that the generated power can be utilized instantly for connected
devices or preserved for later use during periods of low or no foot traffic.
• To integrate an ESP32-based IoT monitoring system that enables real-time
measurement, wireless transmission, and cloud-based storage of power generation
data, allowing performance tracking, analytics, and remote system supervision.
• To deploy the system in strategically chosen high-footfall public areas such as railway
stations, bus terminals, markets, and pedestrian crossings, thereby demonstrating its
practical feasibility, energy output, and operational durability under real-world
conditions.
• To promote sustainable urban infrastructure by showcasing an innovative renewable
energy solution, while simultaneously raising public awareness about the importance
of clean energy adoption in reducing carbon emissions and supporting the
development of cities.
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IOT BASED FOOTSTEP ENERGY HARVESTING AND
MONITORING SYSTEM ACADEMIC YEAR: 2025-26
Methodology
1. Sensor Integration: Install an array of piezoelectric discs beneath a robust, modular
floor tile platform designed to withstand continuous pedestrian traffic. These discs
will convert the mechanical stress generated by footsteps into alternating current
(AC), forming the foundation of the energy harvesting process.
2. Power Conditioning: Implement bridge rectifiers to efficiently convert the AC
output from the piezoelectric discs into direct current (DC). Use smoothing capacitors
to filter voltage fluctuations, ensuring a more stable and usable DC output for
subsequent stages.
3. Energy Storage: Store the harvested energy in high-capacity supercapacitors or
rechargeable battery packs to allow both immediate usage and reserve storage for
later. This ensures a continuous power supply even during periods of low pedestrian
activity.
4. Power Output: Employ a DC-DC boost converter to regulate the stored voltage and
step it up to a stable 5V output. This regulated power can be used to drive low-power
applications such as LED lighting, information displays, or USB charging stations.
5. IoT Monitoring: Integrate an INA219 current and voltage sensor with the ESP32
microcontroller to measure real-time parameters including voltage, current, and
cumulative energy generation. The ESP32 will transmit this data wirelessly to a
secure cloud platform for monitoring.
6. Data Visualization: Develop a mobile and/or web-based dashboard to display real-
time system performance metrics. The dashboard will support data analytics,
performance reporting, and trend analysis for optimizing future deployments.
Hardware Components
• Arduino Uno Board – Microcontroller for system control.
• Piezoelectric Discs – Convert footstep pressure into electrical energy.
• Bridge Rectifier & Capacitors – Convert and smooth AC to DC.
• Rechargeable Battery / Supercapacitor Bank – Stores generated power.
• DC-DC Boost Converter – Provides regulated voltage output.
• INA219 Current Sensor – Measures voltage and current.
• LED Strips / USB Ports – Demonstrates power usage.
• Mechanical Platform – Houses piezo discs and electronics.
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IOT BASED FOOTSTEP ENERGY HARVESTING AND
MONITORING SYSTEM ACADEMIC YEAR: 2025-26
Software Components
• Arduino IDE: For programming the Arduino for data acquisition and control.
• Cloud Services (e.g., Firebase/AWS IoT): For storing and visualizing data.
• Mobile/Web Application: Real-time monitoring and system performance display
Conclusion
The proposed IoT-enabled pedestrian footstep energy harvesting system provides an
innovative, eco-friendly, and decentralized power solution for high-footfall public spaces. By
converting everyday human activity into usable electrical energy, it offers a sustainable way
to power low-power devices and promote renewable energy adoption. Real-time IoT
monitoring ensures system efficiency and provides valuable data for scaling deployments in
smart city projects.
Expected Results
• Functional prototype capable of generating measurable electrical energy from pedestrian
footsteps.
• Stable 5V regulated output for low-power devices.
• Real-time IoT dashboard showing energy generation, footstep count, and usage statistics.
• Deployment-ready modular design for public spaces.
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References
1. Kim, S., et al. (2023). Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting in Public Spaces. Renewable
Energy Journal, 215, 1234–1245
2. Wang, L., & Singh, A. (2022). IoT Integration for Renewable Energy Monitoring. IEEE
Access, 10, 45231–45242.
3. Patel, R., & Zhao, Y. (2021). Super capacitor Storage for Intermittent Energy Sources.
Energy Storage Materials, 37, 215–223.
4. Ito, M. (2021). Case Study: Footstep Power Generation in Tokyo Railway Stations. Smart
Cities Review, 8(4), 58–66.
5. Ahmed, K., & Thomas, P. (2020). DC-DC Power Conditioning for Low-Voltage
Harvesters. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 35(9), 9250–9260.
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