Innovation… Power from flower

There has been no electricity for days at a stretch, sometimes weeks, the situation does not seem to be changing anytime soon. And with demand increasing faster than supply and the fluctuation of diesel prices and market forces being highly unpredictable, there are rumours that certain individuals reek in profits because they own companies that supply generators or they are into large scale diesel distribution.

These rumours are followed by allegations that PHCN officials are constantly bribed to keep the plants under utilised. In lieu of the situation we find ourselves in, we are forced to look to viable alternatives.

At Wageningen University in the south of Denmark, researchers have been working on a way to generate sustainable energy from plants. The rights to the research was sold to Plant-e who are furthering the research. The idea is for households to be able to the live off power generated from their gardens (in theory at least).

The science behind it is quite simple; the leaves break down the sunlight into energy and blend it with water and carbon dioxide for the plant to feed. The excess carbon dioxide is dispersed and bacteria breaks down the carbon dioxide that releases electrons and protons. The energy is collected by cells under the soil, the electrons are then transmitted to a battery that is connected to the circuitry of the house.

But there’s a catch, it doesn’t work when the ground is frozen, it would thrive in wetlands and temperate regions.

But expanding on the power discourse, there was a discussion at some point of using zero point energy; energy that exists between space and also harnessing dark matter. These ideas delve into the realm of quantum physics which is ever expanding. Perhaps for the immediate future we can start small.

– Patrick Oke jr

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now