Commuters’ stamping harnessed for power

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Japan has found a way to harness clean energy from thousands of stamping feet that pass through one of its busiest train stations every day.

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Panels that generate energy from vibrations have been laid by ticket gates through which up to 80,000 passengers pass every day at Tokyo station.

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In theory, the system consisting of slates, rubber sheets and ceramics can generate enough energy to power automatic ticket gates or electric billboards at the station.

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“This experiment is one of our ideas to help the environment,” said a spokesman for the joint venture between Japan East Railway and a government-backed group that began testing the system this week.

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Japan has tried to project itself as a leader in the fight against global warming, but it is far behind in meeting its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol — a landmark environmental treaty negotiated in Japan’s ancient capital that mandates cuts in the gases blamed for global warming.

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