Eco Factor: New technology allows excess renewable energy to be converted into methane for cloudy, windless days.
The major problem associated with any renewable energy generator, especially wind and solar power systems, is that they are highly depend on the climatic conditions and stop producing peak output when the conditions are anything less than perfect. Conventionally batteries are used to store excess renewable energy for days during which energy generation is not possible, but the cost of high capacity batteries makes things even worse. In order to help store renewable energy in a cost effective way, researchers at the Pennsylvania State University have discovered a new microbe that can convert energy into methane for easy storage.
The Methanobacterium Palustre microbe converts energy into methane using hydrogen, which can then be stored easily and used when needed. Most significantly the microbe does the job at 80% efficiency so you can always be sure that the microbe won’t waste much energy. Though the technology does seem perfect, skeptics are of the opinion that converting renewable energy into a greenhouse gas, which when burnt produces greenhouse gases isn’t a great idea.
However, considering the practical uses, which might only be for excess energy does seen fine as methane, when burnt, produces a lesser amount of carbon dioxide than other sources of energy like coal or gas.
Via: CleanTechnica
