A Novel Electricity Generation with Green

Technology by Plant-e from Living Plants and

Bacteria
A Natural Solar Power from Living Power Plant

Sai Prasann Goud Gurram Naga Sujatha Kothapalli

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Professor of EEE, JNTU
Hyderabad, India Hyderabad, India
[email protected] [email protected]

Abstract—Every country requires sufficient amount of electricity electricity with the Plant-Microbial Fuel Cell (P-MFC)
for their development. In fact, the world needs a renewable, an technology developed by a company called Plant-e.
efficient and sustainable energy production to safeguard our
future earth. We documented it, for the people around the world
to know about this fascinating technology of young innovative
company, Plant-e bringing creative projects to life. It is based on,
living plants in Plant-Microbial Fuel Cell (P-MFC) along with
bacteria to convert solar energy into in-situ electricity. Plants
photosynthesize organic matter for its growth by carbon dioxide,
water and thereby capturing solar energy. A significant part of
this organic matter is excreted into the soil via the roots as a
waste product. In the soil, naturally occurring electrochemically
active bacteria break down the organic matter, and produce
electrons, which are used for electricity by Plant-e technology.
The main advantage of Plant Power is that living plants can
capture solar energy naturally and generates electricity 24 hours
per day, unlike artificial solar panels. Hence, we can consider it
as a “Natural Solar Power.” Plant-e Company also established a
business platform for the P-MFC as a promising new bio-energy
source and clean technology for applying across the world.

Keywords— Sustainable; in-situ; Waste product; Bacteria;

Business;

I. INTRODUCTION
For the countries development and economic growth, Fig.1. Photosynthetic organism (Plants) in a P-MFC.
energy is considered as one of the most important factors. Living plants generate electricity; all it requires plants and
With increasing electricity demand and problems with fossil bacteria in a fuel cell as shown in Fig.1. Plants are natural
fuels, scientists are looking for alternatives to fossil fuels. solar radiation absorber, and during photosynthesis, they
Researchers say that Worldwide 1.2 billion people have no produce organic matter. A large portion of the organic matter
access to electricity at all. We are not just concerned about produced by plants is excreted into the soil via the roots.
producing electricity but providing it in a way more renewable Microorganisms that live around the roots in the soil consume
and economical way. An unexpected source of new, clean this organic matter. Thereby, electrons are released as a result
energy has been found from living plants which are part of the of this consumption. By placing an electrode near the roots,
Mother Nature. More importantly, the researchers say the these energy-rich electrons are used as electrical energy.
system doesn’t affect the plant’s growth or harm its In this study, we propose rich solar radiation intensity in
environment. India may increase the power output of P-MFC. We analyzed
In this work, we report on the use of plants as not only to the green business that entered into electricity market
give oxygen, food, fuel, flowers, wood, medicines, aesthetic contributing to renewable energy production. We designed a
values et al., but also produce electricity. After the rise of solar schematic model diagram to know the basic process involved
energy, wind energy, there is a new renewable and sustainable in P-MFC. We also developed a mind map for the better
energy from the living plants. Yes, plants can also produce understanding of this futuristic renewable energy.

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 II. REVOLUTIONARY sugar called glucose(C6H12O6) as shown in (1). The glucose is
Plant-e company brought a revolutionary change in the plant food. It gives the plants energy to grow.
renewable energy systems with a Plant-Microbial Fuel Cell
(P-MFC) systems for generating electricity from living plants. B. Proof of Principle
A graph in Fig.3 is designed to show a definite increase in The organic matter is produced by the photosynthesis,
power output. With first estimates of the theoretical long-term
power output of this scheme was 0.066 W/m2. Next long term 6 CO2 + 12 H2O Light C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 6 H2O (1)
performance at 0.22 W/m2 is reached. Nowadays, the In the soil, anodic oxidation of organic matter by
maximum power output is improved 16times up to 1.1 W/m2. electrochemically active bacteria is
Within this year, a European Research Consortium estimates C6H12O6 + 12 H2O → 6 HCO3 + 30 H + 24 E (2)
to reach a maximum power output of 3.2 W/m2. Cathode reduction of oxygen to water is
6 O2 + 24 H + 24 E → 12 H2O (3)
The proof of principle was published in 2008. Carbon
dioxide is fixed by plant leaves using solar energy. Part of the
fixed carbon is transported to the roots and released as small
molecular weight components. These so called rhizodeposits
are partly utilized by electrochemically active micro-
organisms yielding bicarbonate (HCO3) as carbon dioxide,
protons, and electrons as shown in (2). Carbon dioxide is
returned to the atmosphere. Electrons are transferred by
Fig.2. Power Output Density of P-MFC in W/m2. electrochemically active microorganisms to the anode for
gaining metabolic energy shown in (3). The anode is coupled
A. Basic Photosynthesis to a cathode. The electrons flow from the anode through an
electrical circuit with a load to the cathode shown in Fig.3.
The first and foremost thing is to have basic knowledge
about photosynthesis of plants which we have studied in the
class of 6th standard during schooling. We need to recollect it
once again, to understand this technology. The magic of
Mother Nature is that it converts sunlight energy into food.
Photosynthesis has been around for thousands of years,
creating oxygen for all living creatures to thrive on earth and it
is vital for our future on this planet. One of the most
significant systems on earth, crucial for keeping most human
and animal life forms alive is Photosynthesis. The prefix
“photo” means light. The suffix “synthesis” means the
production of compounds made from simpler substances.
Plants just have a special way of retrieving food from the
elements around them and produce their nutrients on the
inside. For plants to make their food, they need carbon
dioxide(CO2), sunlight, and water(H2O). Photosynthesis is the
process by which plants make their food. Plants make food in
their leaves. The leaves contain a pigment called chlorophyll,
which colors the leaves green. Chlorophyll is a green chemical
that absorbs the sun's energy into plants' leaves so they can
produce their food. The leaves are where the majority of
photosynthesis takes place and are made up of tiny structures
called chloroplasts. Plants take water from the soil through
their veins, which are called xylem. The water goes to the
leaves. The leaves take carbon dioxide from the air into the
plant through tiny pores called stomata. Carbon dioxide is
caused by respiration, decomposition, as well as the burning of
fossil fuels and other human-related causes. The carbon
dioxide mixes with the water. Once all three components are
absorbed into the plant's leaves, the process of photosynthesis
can begin. When water, light energy, and carbon dioxide get
absorbed, the water molecules are divided into hydrogen(H)
and oxygen(O2). The oxygen is released through the leaves
leaving the hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Energy from the
sun helps this process along and turns the combination into a
Fig.3. Schematic diagram of P-MFC technology to explain the process
involved.

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 III. FASCINATING TECHNOLOGY C. Suitable plants for P-MFC technology
P-MFC's planted with these species generated
Dr. ir. Bert Hamelers got this idea of this novel technology
comparatively high amounts of power and produced even
and is brought into practicality by a spin-off company named
significant quantities of biomass that could frequently be
Plante. In 2009, Plant-e was founded in the Netherlands by
harvested. Oryza sativa (also called as Asian Rice, which is
Marjolein Helder and David Strik. Marjolein Helder, PhD., is
cultivated across the world) and grass have very high power
the CEO of the company. David Strik works as an assistant
density with P-MFC technology. A deficiency of one or more
professor at Wageningen University and still is an important
of nutrients immediately affects plant growth and health. List
connection between scientific research and development at
of few plants is shown in the Fig.4.
Plant-e.
Researchers found that grasses are most promising plant
species for P-MFC’s since they can overcome certain
A. Plant Microbial Fuel Cell (P-MFC)
limitations of the P-MFC systems and can produce high shoot
The Plant-Microbial Fuel Cell (P-MFC) is a novel biomass during the operation of it. This biomass might further
technology which generates electricity in a renewable and be used for other purposes like biogas production and also as
likely sustainable way. The P-MFC may mature to a very animal feed. Prerequisites for plants are
competitive technology towards other bio-energy systems as it • Plants should be able to grow with their roots
can deliver net five times higher energy than other systems. completely submerged.
The P-MFC concept has several attractive qualities which can • Use water or marsh plants.
provide the significant break-through for sustainable energy
• Use plants for indoor use when planning to put the
production. The plants convert solar energy into organic
system indoor and local outdoor species when
matter which is transformed into electricity by
planning to put the system outside.
electrochemically active bacteria in the fuel cell. Still, the high
• When using the system indoors, make sure the plants
power output must be maintained, and costs must be reduced
receive enough daylight as we know solar radiation is
to become compatible. Further research and development will
one of the important factors for P-MFC output.
reinforce the competitiveness of Europe since P-MFC is
worldwide implementable. It has been shown that both size Naturally occurring bacteria are responsible for the
and type of carbon granules affect the current density of the P- electrons generation when they break down the organic matter
MFC. The cathode of the P-MFC can limit the power output. for their energy. Some of the electrochemically active
Availability of P-MFC’s are estimated 5.5 billion years microorganisms participating in this technology for
and hence considered as renewable energy sources. Shewanellaputrefaciens, Aeromonas hydrophilia, et al. And
bacteria which have pili on their outer membrane can transfer
B. Microbial Fuel Cell’s (MFC’s) and its types their electron production via these pili.
A Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) also called as Biological
Fuel Cell is a bio-electrochemical system. It drives a current
by using bacteria and mimicking bacterial interactions
occurred naturally in nature. A microbial fuel cell is a device
that converts chemical energy to electrical energy by the
catalytic reaction of microorganisms.

Broadly, MFC's are classified mainly into two types: 1)

Mediator MFC. 2) Mediator-less MFC.
1) Mediator microbial fuel cell: In Mediator MFC, most
of the microbial cells are electrochemically inactive. In this
fuel cell, the mediators are responsible for electron
transmission from microbial cells to the electrode. Few
examples of mediators are Thionine, Methyl Viologen, Methyl
blue, Humic acid, and Neutral red. Most of the mediators used
in this type of MFC's are costly and also toxic substances.
2) Mediator-free microbial fuel cell: In mediator-less
MFC, no mediators are utilized in the process of generation of
electricity. Mediator-free MFC'S do not require a mediator but
these cells use naturally occurring electrochemically active
bacteria to transfer to the electrode, and these electrons are
carried directly from bacterial respiratory enzyme to the
electrode. Examples of the mediator-free MFC's are Plant-
Microbial Fuel Cell (P-MFC). Fig.4. Suitable plants list which can be used in P-MFC’s.

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 IV. FUTURE CHALLENGES
European scientists have developed an innovative
system that could one day help isolated villages and remote
areas around the world, steadily generate electricity in a large
scale from mundane water-logged plants such as rice growing
in paddy fields, river delta’s, food plains, mangroves and salt
marshes without damaging the plants themselves.
To make this technology useful, they’ve got to get
out of the lab and get into the “real world.” As P-MFC has the
potential to become a large scale electricity generating
technology, the Plant-e Company ambition is to produce
renewable electricity around the world, when implemented in
any suitable areas of wetland. By inserting a tube horizontally
beneath the surface of wetlands and thereby using the same
process as the modular system, we can generate large scale
electricity.
A. Plant-e Tube System
In 2013, Plant-e started development of an entirely new
design in which the technology is brought to wet (natural)
areas. This new design consists of flexible tubes, which are Fig.6. Estimation of future electricity generation across the world (a) and
India’s electricity contribution from different sources (b).
installed under the surface over the length of many meters.
Benefits of P-MFC technology are accounted by
With this tubular system, it is important that the tubes are
comparing different renewable energy sources. To the most of
installed beneath the ground water level shown in Fig.5.The
the buildings and industries, biomass is contributing at a
tubular system makes it possible to generate electricity in wet
higher level. P-MFC are 16 times greater efficient than
areas, while the area can still be used for the original purpose.
biomass electricity. P-MFC’s can generate electricity in day
This system enables multi functional land use and adds a new
and night, unlike solar panels. It increases biodiversity and
business model to the area.
aesthetic values. Apart from electricity, it can produce
hydrogen fuel. With the tubular system, it can be integrated
with waste water treatment. It is also clean, efficient and
sustainable shown in Fig.7.

Fig.5. Installing Tubes in the Ground for large scale electricity generation.
With this new design, plants that are already growing are
not at all disturbed, and there is no need to dig the ground.
The tunnels for the tubular system can be made non-invasive
by the existing technology. Electrodes are kept within the
plants' root system to harvest the electrons, which means
electrodes are placed in just five and 30 centimeters under the
surface. The maximum depth relies on oxygen level, as the
degree of oxygen in soil changes with depth and it also defines
how well the system works.
B. Challenges and Benefits Fig.7: Benefits of P-MFC technology.
The main challenge is to power 1.2 billion people with no Thus, research on tubes is still ongoing and is funded
access to electricity. More than 4,615 are to be electrified in through subsidies. The costs of the pilot are expected to be €
India. Fig.6 shows, according to World energy outlook in the 452,000. The Noord-Brabant province finances 60% of this
upcoming years, renewable energies are going to contribute amount (€ 273,900). Noord-Holland and Noord-Brabant are
most of the world electricity generation. In India, it is provinces that invest money in the further development of the
expected that renewable energy production will be more than tubular system. "N470 GIVES ENERGY," is a project to
60 percent of total electricity generation. redesign of a road.

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 V. PLANT-E GREEN BUSINESS One of the products that Plant-e has developed is a
There are several attractive qualities of P-MFC technology modular plant tray as shown in Fig. 8 (d). In these trays or
to change the current electricity market in the world. As plant modules, plants grow in an electrode of carbon grains.
powers energy source is available everywhere where plants Subsequently, the plants grow through a screen that contains a
can grow, this P-MFC technology can strengthen the spacer and a counter electrode. By connecting both electrodes,
competitiveness of countries on the global energy market. electricity can be produced by the plants. The roots of the
Moreover, Plant Power could become a European electricity plants are continuously submerged in water, and this creates
export product in the future since the P-MFC could be the ideal environment for the technology, for this reason why
implemented worldwide. From small scale to medium scale, marsh plants thrive best in this Plant-e system. The modules
this P-MFC technology has applications such as charging are 50cm x 50cm. Setups can be delivered in several sizes,
mobiles or powering Wi-Fi, and it can also be incorporated starting from one square meter. Per square meter, a blinking
into a green roof to generate electricity for a building as well LED-light is connected. A bigger setup creates more
as insulating it. The P-MFC offers an opportunity for possibilities for other electrical applications. The modules can
introducing a completely green and sustainable electricity be included in designs for green rooftop gardens, public
technology into the market. spaces like schoolyards or event sites, indoor gardens or as an
eye catcher at several locations.
The first implementation of the PMFC, currently
developed by Plant-e, is the green electricity roof. Within this
application, the advantages of a green roof and electricity
production are combined. A pilot project of the green
electricity roof is being executed at the roof of KNAW- NIOO
building.
C. Plant-e DIV box
With company's aim to aid workshops or practical classes
in schools, for science fairs, et al. Plant-e designed “DIY (Do
It Yourself)-boxes” as shown in Fig. 8, large (a) and small (e).
The boxes contain all materials needed as shown in Fig. 8(b)
to make 5 or 25 plant batteries (depending on the type of box)
Fig.8. Products developed by Plant-e Company which are available in the
including the electronics required to light an LED on the
market. electricity produced by the plants and measure the output.
The composition of a DIY-box plant battery is the same as
A. Spin-off company the composition of the modular setup but on a smaller scale.
Wageningen University in Netherland is the main reason The Plant-e DIY-boxes are very suitable for use as teaching
behind Spin-off Company creation called Plant-e and has the materials in (high) schools. Many different biological and
dream to implement the technology worldwide. The spin-off chemical processes are involved in the Plant-e technology and
meaning can be understandable by its pre-described definition. assembling a plant battery provides insight into these
A spin-off is the creation of an independent company through processes. Children from 8 years old can work with the DIY-
the sale or distribution of new shares of an existing business. boxes. Fig. 8 shows square meter garden for decoration(c) and
The Plant-e company has operated so far on the revenue from plant-e mug (f) for promotions.
subsidies and awards, rather than investors. More and more
attraction was gained with the activities and launch of the D. Marketing and Social Impact
Spin-off Company and business network was developed. At the start of the project, 500 A2 Posters were printed and
These green people are trying to find right investors for the distributed to the partners. These posters were used e.g. during
project, but for the moment they have been focusing on symposia, open days and often handed out to visitors.
appropriate technology and creative projects going. The environmental performance of the Plant-MFC was
For large scale electricity production, Plant-e is currently assessed based on one of the specific business cases: the green
developing a tubular system and expecting to have a electricity roof. It can reasonably expect that at a higher
revolutionary market-ready product in two or three years. power output of the Plant-MFC environmental performance of
the system will increase and the Plant-MFC can be considered
B. Plant-e modular system an environmentally friendly system. Since the Plant-MFC can
In November 2014, Plant-e debuted its “Starry Sky” be integrated with the normal landscape, social acceptability
project with the company’s star product consisting of 100 m2 of the system is expected to be high.
installations had been operating as a modular system, each In this report, we analyzed the new commercial green
comprising 400 individual modules, which are equipped with business which is transforming the current electricity market.
our technology and plants. These modular systems were able We also designed mind map shown in Fig.9 of fascinating
to light up more than 300 LED streetlights in two different technology with creative ideas for a better understanding of
sites near Amsterdam shown in Fig. 8 (g). this Plant-e technology to make it even more interesting.

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Fig.9 Mind map of Plant-e Company to know the company business strategy.
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