La methanization It is a natural process of degradation of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. This process generates biogas, composed mainly of methane, which can be used as a source of energy. renewable energy As is the case with other sources that are still little explored, these types of unknown energies are currently gaining ground in various sectors, as they allow the use of resources that would otherwise be wasted. Many companies are turning to these technologies to transform them into clean and efficient energy.
Let's explore some of these novel techniques starting with some interesting examples.
Rotten melons: energy generators
In a region of France, a fruit producer faces the loss of approximately 2000 tonnes of melons annually that do not meet sales standards. The treatment and transport of this waste cost €150.000 per year. In 2011, the company decided to change course and adopted a methanation unit created by the Belgian company GreenWatt.
The model of this new technology is very simple: spoiled fruit is stored and degraded by bacteria that produce biogas. This biogas is reused to generate energy and heat, which feed the plant. The heat is used in the industry itself, which greatly reduces energy costs. In addition, the surplus biogas is sold to electricity companies, which generates an additional source of income.
Rotten carrots: another source of biogas
Just like melons, carrots can also be used as an energy source. In this case, a French agri-food group is among the European leaders in carrot production. In 2014, they collaborated with GreenWatt to develop a biomethanization unit that could convert damaged carrots into energy.
The impact has been significant. This group is able to generate energy equivalent to the energy consumption of about 420 households. Carrots, which would otherwise have been thrown away, now become a renewable source of energy.
The energy of cheese: beyond the dairy product
Cheese, beyond its nutritional consumption, generates a by-product that can be transformed into energy. Savoy Cheese Producers' Union, in France, has incorporated a methanation plant that uses whey, also known as lactoserum, to generate biogas. This by-product is a yellowish liquid that arises during the cheese-making process.
With this plant, the Savoy region produces around 3 million kWh of energy annually. This amount is enough to cover the consumption of 1500 inhabitants, which demonstrates the importance of using by-products from the food industry to generate energy.
Human waste: a biobus in Bristol
In the United Kingdom, specifically in Bristol, a pioneering project has been launched that consists of a bus whose fuel comes from human excrement. This biobus can travel up to 300 km using the waste of just five people a year.
Biogas generated by the methanation of human excrement can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 30% compared to a traditional diesel vehicle. The company in charge of the project, GENECO, has proposed extending the bus network using this clean energy system, requesting funding from the British Government. This is expected to further reduce the carbon footprint of urban transport.
New energy sources: constant innovation
Apart from the methods mentioned above, there are other innovative sources of renewable energy with extraordinary potential:
- Bioluminescence: Developed primarily by bacteria and marine organisms such as jellyfish, this peculiar technology takes advantage of the light produced by some living beings to illuminate spaces without the need for electricity.
- Energy of rain: A generator developed by scientists in China is capable of capturing the kinetic energy generated by falling raindrops and converting it into electricity. A single shower could light up 100 light bulbs thanks to the accumulation of this energy.
- Kinetic energy: Floors are already being used in various parts of the world that, when walked on, generate enough electricity to power lighting systems. From dance floors to pedestrian crossings, this technology is increasingly expanding.
- Energy recycling: Using urban and agricultural waste to convert it into energy is a growing trend. Countries such as Sweden have already implemented this technology on a large scale, even importing garbage to generate electricity.
Projects in development: from the laboratory to practice
Among the most technologically advanced energy sources are those in which science is constantly innovating. osmotic energy o blue energy promises to revolutionise the field of renewable energy. This type of energy is based on the difference in salt concentration between river water and sea water. Countries such as Norway are already thoroughly researching this technology with the aim of using natural resources more efficiently.
Another example of innovation is the project of geobacter sulfurreducens carried out by the University of Massachusetts. It consists of generating electricity from air humidity using cultivated natural proteins. This technology, called air gene, could allow electricity to be generated anywhere in the world without depending on specific weather conditions, which opens up a field of possibilities for its use worldwide.
Finally, experiments such as the bioluminescence and electric plants They are also in advanced stages of development. Although their mass implementation still seems far away, constant advances bring us ever closer to a future in which renewable energies and unknown energy sources play a key role in the sustainability of the planet.
The incorporation of these new energy sources into the current panorama not only has a positive environmental impact, but also allows for cost reduction and the best use of available resources. The future of energy undoubtedly lies in a combination of traditional methods and innovative approaches such as those mentioned here.