News

Feet to light Olympic walkway

Award winning UK renewable technology has been commissioned by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to light a temporary bridge leading from West Ham station to the Olympic Park.

Powered by the feet of spectators, 12 energy harvesting floor tiles will supply enough power to illuminate the footbridge for eight hours at night and 16 daylight hours at half power.

When stepped on, the tiles flex by 5mm converting kinetic energy into a useful electrical output. Over a million impressions are expecting generating 72 million joules of energy.

ODA transport director, Hugh Sumner, said: “The widespread use of energy efficienct technology is one of the main features of London 2012. This foot-powered lighting system for one of the main walkways into the Olympic Park is just one of many sustainable initiatives the ODA have deployed during the games and will really get people thinking about how an individual can make a difference, while getting to and from their events.”

David Stubbs, head of sustainability at the London Organising Committee (LOCOG), added: “We want people coming to the games to be able to do their bit for the environment and this is a great example where, literally in a few steps, people can actively contribute towards making these a truly sustainable games.”