5 Surprising Sources of Green Energy

Increasing amounts of electricity is generated from traditional renewable sources, such as solar, wind and geothermal energy. But have we exhausted every avenue? And where else can we get our electricity from in the future? This blogs takes a look at 5 surprising sources of green energy you might not have heard about.   

1. Super Spuds

Believe it or not, the humble potato can be used to generate enough electrical power to light a room for 40 days with efficient LED lamps. By connecting or immersing two different metals, copper and zinc for example, in a source of conducting ions (the potato) — a simple battery is made.

Researchers have shown that boiling the potatoes produces more energy, as does making a voltaic pile with sliced potato and alternate electrodes. The electricity produced is low voltage, but it costs much less than a typical alkaline battery and could provide power in places well off the energy grid.

2. Urine Power

Researchers at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory in England have powered a mobile phone with urine. The basis of the technology is a microbial fuel cell (MFC), an energy converter that turns organic matter into electricity. Live microorganisms eat the urine and one of the breakdown products is electrons, which can be converted into energy. The more the microbes eat, the more energy is generated. MFCs are being investigated for use with other organic waste streams, as discussed in this article: Is free wastewater treatment on the horizon?

The urine powered MFC has so far powered a phone for messaging and short calls, but the research team is working on making the individual cells smaller, so more cells can be put into the MFC, thus generating more electrons and power.

3. Dance Power

The more you dance, the brighter the lights. Harnessing the kinetic energy of people dancing is another way of generating energy. As people dance or walk across a special floor, which is made of individual modules linked together, the small vertical movements can be transformed into electrical power.

Although the applications are educational or entertaining at present, the idea of people generating electrical power as they go about their daily lives generates ideas for future innovations.

4. Greener Ethanol

Using biofuels in place of fossil fuels can create its own problems - growing plants for fuel instead of food being one major environmental issue. Research into alternative sources for biofuels continues. Recently, Stanford University scientists managed to efficiently convert carbon monoxide into ethanol. The conversion uses a small fuel cell with a new copper catalyst.

It is envisaged that a ready supply of carbon monoxide can be obtained from the atmosphere, by capturing and converting carbon dioxide, also reducing the atmospheric CO2 concentration.

5. Water Power

Water power has been harnessed for hundreds of years, from the water wheel to modern hydroelectric plants. Researchers are now looking at artificial photosynthesis to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water. The idea is to make small solar cells that can generate sufficient voltages to carry out the photosynthesis efficiently and at a low cost. The hydrogen can then be used to power fuel cells.

Can you think of another surprising source of green energy? Let us know in the comments section below.