#plant-e

Plants could soon provide our electricity. In a small way they already are doing that in research labs and greenhouses at project Plant-e — a university and commercially sponsored research group at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

The Plant Microbial Fuel Cell from Plant-e can generate electricity from the natural interaction between plant roots and soil bacteria. It works by taking advantage of the up to 70 percent of organic material produced by a plant’s photo-synthesis process that cannot be used by the plant — and is excreted through the roots.

As natural occurring bacteria around the roots break down this organic residue, electrons are released as a waste product. By placing an electrode close to the bacteria to absorb these electrons, the research team — led by Marjolein Helder PhD — is able to generate electricity.

Helder said: “Solar panels are making more energy per square meter — but we expect to reduce the costs of our system technology in the future. And our system can be used for a variety of applications.”

Plant Microbial Fuel Cells can be used on many scales. An experimental 15 square meter model can produce enough energy to power a computer notebook. Plant-e is working on a system for large scale electricity production in existing green areas like wetlands and rice paddy fields.

Uses for this valuable technology.

Helder said: “Our technology is making electricity — but also could be used as roof insulation or as a water collector. On a bigger scale it’s possible to produce rice and electricity at the same time, and in that way combine food and energy production.”

A first prototype of a green electricity roof has been installed on one building at Wageningen University and researchers are keeping a close eye on what is growing there. The first field pilots will be started in 2014. The tech was patented in 2007.

After 5 years of lab research: Plant-e is now taking the first steps toward commercializing the technology. In the future, bio-electricity from plants could produce as much as 3.2 watts per square meter of plant growth.

DUTCH HARVEST ELECTRICITY FROM LIVING PLANTS TO POWER STREETLIGHTS, WI-FI & CELL PHONES

      Plant-e, a company based out of the Netherlands, has found a way to harness electricity from living plants, using them to power Wi-Fi hotspots, cell phone chargers, and even streetlights. The company debuted their project, called “Starry Sky,” in November of 2014 near Amsterdam, where they lit up more than 300 LED streetlights…

Plant-e: Menanam Tumbuhan, Memanen Listrik

Ilustrasi. (Foto: assets.inhabitat.com)

Tumbuhan yang mampu menghasilkan oksigen mungkin merupakan hal biasa. Namun, bagaimana dengan tumbuhan yang mampu menghasilkan listrik? Terdengar mustahil, tetapi hal inilah yang berhasil dibuktikan oleh Plant-e. Perusahaan yang berbasis di Belanda ini berhasil memanen listrik dari tumbuhan hidup, tanpa merusak atau membunuhnya.

Terobosan berjuluk…

Plant-e: living plants generate electricity

Γλάστρα – φορτιστής για κινητά

Μία ολλανδική εταιρία μαζεύει ηλεκτρική ενέργεια από ζωντανά φυτά με σκοπό να τροφοδοτήσει τις κοινόχρηστες λάμπες στους δρόμους και να δώσει ενέργεια σε wi-fi συσκευές και κινητά τηλέφωνα.

Πιο συγκεκριμένα αυτή η εταιρία παίρνει την ηλεκτρική ενέργεια των ζωντανών φυτών και τροφοδοτεί με αυτή φορτιστές κινητών τηλεφώνων, σημεία wi-fi και περισσότερα από 300 LED φώτα στους δρόμους -μέχρι στιγμής-…

Non stop renewable that would end the nuclear debate

The IPCC proved this week that mankind is changing earth’s climate at an alarming rate. Greenhouse gases are the culprit. We need to act really really fast if we want to have a chance of staying within 2 degrees temperature rise compared to pre-industrial times.

“Wind power and solar are going to save us” was my state of mind for years. Especially PV is becoming so cheep so fast that it is…