Publication Date
2026
College
Other
Department
Library & Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Document Type
Poster
Description
Urban environments are facing a growing demand for energy alongside increasing vehicular activity, particularly in high-density, high-traffic areas. While renewable energy technologies continue to expand, many solutions remain constrained by high installation costs, spatial limitations, and the need for dedicated infrastructure. This creates an opportunity to explore alternative approaches that integrate energy generation into existing urban systems. Freenergy introduces a novel concept that leverages everyday vehicular movement as a distributed source of energy and data. By embedding piezoelectric modules within speed bumps, the system captures mechanical stress from passing vehicles and transforms it into electrical output. Beyond energy generation, the system is designed to collect and process real-time mobility data, enabling insights into traffic dynamics and operational conditions. Early-stage experimentation suggests that the approach is capable of producing measurable electrical responses under variable load conditions, supporting its technical feasibility. More importantly, the integration of energy harvesting with data analytics opens new possibilities for decentralized, adaptive urban infrastructure. Freenergy represents a step toward rethinking how cities can passively generate value from existing flows, contributing to more responsive and sustainable urban environments.