AI-generated image
In the summer of 2023, a small yet innovative project took place at the Miromesnil metro station in Paris, the birthplace of the world’s first legally binding climate accord. The idea was simple: harness the power of footsteps to generate electricity.
During this two-day pilot, 27,000 commuters passing through six turnstiles powered mini turbines, converting their kinetic energy into electricity. While this number is just a drop in the ocean compared to the 1.5 billion annual passengers of the Paris metro, the potential impact is significant. If implemented city-wide, these turbines could generate 136 megawatts of electricity annually, cutting down 30,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, according to Iberdrola, the Spanish energy company behind the project.
Though a full-scale upgrade is currently too costly, this trial showcases the potential of emerging climate solutions. Iberdrola collaborated with students from the French engineering school Junia to design and install the turbines. These students are now refining the technology for future use in metro systems in Paris, Madrid, Santiago, and beyond.
As one of the students, Ms. Victoire Talleux, put it, “If we transform an object into an autonomous energy generator, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint, even if each individual object doesn’t produce a large amount of energy.” In this pilot, the energy generated powered signs in the metro station, but future projects could see even broader applications.
This project is a testament to the idea that every small step counts in the fight against climate change.
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Arun Bhatia
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