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An introduction.

Plants could soon provide our electricity. In a small way they’re already doing that in research labs and greenhouses at project Plant-e.

Plant-e is a university and commercially sponsored research group at Wageningen Univ. + Research in the Netherlands.

The Plant Microbial Fuel Cell from Plant-e can generate electricity from the natural interaction between plant roots and soil bacteria.

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How it happens.

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.

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quote ::

name: by Marjolein Helder PhD
bio: A researcher, botanist, and environmentalist.
school: Wageningen Univ. + Research

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.

Our tech 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.

— Marjolein Helder PhD

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Uses for this valuable tech.

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.

Currently Plant-e is working on a system for large scale electricity production in existing green areas like wetlands and rice paddy fields.

A first prototype of a green electricity roof has been installed on one building at Wageningen Univ. + Research — 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.

note: with materials from EuroNews

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webpages ::

group: Plant-e
web: home ~ channel
banner: Spark of nature.

Plant-e is making electricity from living plants.

read :: brochure
format: Adobe

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presented by ::

school: Wageningen Univ. + Research
web: home ~ channel
banner: Exploring nature’s potential to improve quality of life.

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watching

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How plants can create electricity. :: watch

part 1 :: Meet Plant-e.
part 2 :: A story on Planet-e.
part 3 :: Living plants generate electricity.
part 4 :: The power of plants.

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reading

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1. |

school: Wageningen Univ. + Research
story: Dutch Innovation Award for Plant-e
read :: story

research institutes:

for plant research :: visit
centre for development innovation :: visit