Making pavement pay.

Covered this as a concept before here, but PhysOrg is reporting that a town in France is making step-powered pavement a reality:

Authorities in Toulouse in the south-west of France are considering a proposal to install “pavement power” technology that would use the energy provided by pedestrians to generate electricity to run the street lamps. A trial section of eight modules already installed in the city produces 50-60 watts, which is enough to power a nearby street lamp.

Deputy mayor Alexandre Marciel, who is also responsible for sustainable development in the city, said the idea has been around for some time but has never been made a reality before, so the project is a world first.

Well, the piezo panels are also powering a Dutch nightclub, but OK, yes, Deputy Mayor, it is a breakthrough.