Algae as potential global power source with new technology harnessing energy from plants

Algae could potentially be an alternative global source of carbon-free energy that would lead the world to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and limit climate change, a new study shows. Scientists have developed a power cell that can harness electrical energy from the photosynthesis and respiration of algae.

Researchers from Concordia University in Montreal, in an effort to limit carbon emissions, designed a power cell that uses blue-green algae. Both photosynthesis and respiration of plants promote electron transfer chains that can be used to produce green energy.

In a study, published in the journal Technology, researchers trapped the electrons released by blue-green algae during photosynthesis and respiration. The process allows them to harness naturally produced electrical energy from the plant.

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are long known to exist everywhere, making it significant for the invention that could potentially provide large amount of energy. These plants were found to be the most prosperous microorganisms on earth, occupying large range of habitats across the world, researchers said.

"By taking advantage of a process that is constantly occurring all over the world, we've created a new and scalable technology that could lead to cheaper ways of generating carbon-free energy," said lead researcher Muthukumaran Packirisamy, a professor of engineering at the Concordia University.

The photosynthetic power cell was designed with an anode, cathode and proton exchange membrane. Researchers place the blue-green algae in the anode chamber to utilise its energy.

During photosynthesis, algae release electrons to the surface of electrode, while a device with a connected external load extract the electrons and harness power. Currently, the power cell can only be used on a small scale, and further improvements are needed for the technology, according to Packirisamy.

"We have a lot of work to do in terms of scaling the power cell to make the project commercial," he said. The team aims to improve and expand the project, hoping that micro photosynthetic power cells would be available for various applications, such as powering computers and cell phones, and potentially providing power worldwide.

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