OMO OGHOGHO

As global energy demands continue to rise, the search for alternative and sustainable energy sources has become a critical area of research. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) New Policies Scenario, global electricity demand is projected to increase by approximately 80% between 2012 and 2040 (Elhalwagy et al., 2017). This growing demand, coupled with environmental concerns related to fossil fuel consumption, has driven significant interest in renewable and clean energy technologies. Among the various emerging energy solutions, piezoelectric energy harvesting has gained attention as a promising approach to generating electricity from everyday human activities, such as walking. Piezoelectricity refers to the ability of certain materials to generate an electrical charge when subjected to mechanical stress. This phenomenon is particularly useful for harvesting energy from human movement, specifically footsteps. Footstep power generation utilizes piezoelectric materials embedded in floors to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy. In high-footfall areas such as train stations, shopping malls, pedestrian walkways, and university campuses, the cumulative energy generated from footsteps can be significant (Elhalwagy et al., 2017). If effectively captured and stored, this energy could power small electronic devices, lighting systems, and digital displays—contributing to sustainable urban infrastructure.