Methods and systems for harvesting mechanical energy for transformation into electrical energy are described. An energy harvesting apparatus may include a housing having fluid disposed therein and a piston assembly configured to move within the housing in one of an extension stroke and a compression stroke. The piston assembly may include a bidirectional rotor configured to rotate responsive to the piston assembly moving in either of the extension stroke and the compression stroke. The bidirectional rotor may be connected to a rotary generator such that rotational energy generated by rotation of the bidirectional rotor may be transferred to the rotary generator. Electrical energy may be produced by the rotary generator responsive to receiving the rotational energy.