Tokyo Station, Japan

Train stations in Tokyo are implementing power-generating floors, allowing passengers to contribute energy back to the station itself. Although this process is complicated, it will not alter the transportation process. The entire station would be outfitted with power-generating mats that will sense vibrations and convert them into electricity.

In two Tokyo train stations, steps are under way to generate electricity from the floors of the ticket gates and staircases. If successful, passengers could help provide the train stations with 1,400 kilowatts per second each day.

The Tokyo station and Shibuya station is used by about 2.4 million people on an average week day. This will generate approximately  10 watts per second, and helps to reduce the energy needed by the building by 90%.

When the test period ends in February 2009, the makers – Soundpower Corp.and East Japan Railway Company (JR East) – hope the floors have improved to the point that they can provide all the electricity needed to run the automatic ticket gates and electronic display systems.

This technological development is working on being implemented into mall floors, sidewalks and roads.

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