Garden Office Blog

The exciting, new Pavegen system

The exciting, new Pavegen system

By Dawn Kubicek on 21st May, 2010

Reading the Observer on Sunday i came across a rather interesting story about a new invention which will benefit us all. Laurence Kemball-Cook just 24 from Loughborogh University, a design engineer invents a green energy saving pave stone!

'I just knew this idea had legs,' says Laurence whilst explaining he is now one of the most feted young inventors in the UK.

Kemball-Cook's pavegen system is about to shift our perceptions of renewable energy. When you or i step on one of these paving stones, 5% of the energy we create is used to light up its central LED light, and the rest is stored in battery (for up to three days) and can be used for any low-power application. So as the public walk, their footsteps are harvested, and they don't necessarily even realise its happening. Call it stealth energy.


Urban planners and architects can't get enough of the clever design (the paving stones can easily be retrofitted into pavements), and at trade shows well-shod design professionals can be seen queuing up for their turn to bound across the pavegen surface (they are made from 100% recycled car tyres) and watch each one light up.

Currently the invention is in its final round of testing, not least because these paving stones will need to withstand up to eight million footsteps in their lifetime. After installing them in shopping centres and schools in the UK, Kemball-Cook dreams of going global. 'I can imagine pavegen in more remote areas of India, for instance, there's huge footfall there, but where there is power its polluting, fossil-fuel energy. This could be transformative.'

Here at Decorated Shed we are always open to suggestions to build you the most environmentally friendly, green orientated garden studio. We already have many options available from solar water heating to recycled rubber floors and green roofs. In other words - there are no limitations to your Decorated Shed garden building, as long as there are no restrictions.


Category:  Environment

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