img(height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=2939831959404383&ev=PageView&noscript=1")

Power plants light bus stop

Words:
Stephen Cousins

Just the ticket: bus stop harvests plant power to fuel 24-hour light

Displayed at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, the Plant 2 Power Hub is a simple wooden structure, designed by architect MCMM, supporting specially-adapted vertical green walled units and a mixture of regular and semi-transparent solar panels.

The structure aims to provide a 24-hour source of renewable energy, using solar panels during the day and at night harvesting electrons naturally produced by plants through photosynthesis and metabolic activity, and converting them into electrical current. Although the project is a live experiment, the researchers claim it could pave the way for simple and affordable power generation in developing countries.

Professor Christopher Howe and Dr Paolo Bombelli, from the Department of Biochemistry, developed the Plant 2 Power Hub. They previously created a device able to power a radio using the current generated by moss.

Opaque thin-film solar panels developed by Polysolar turn light into electricity on the hub, using mostly blue and green solar radiation.

Panels allow the red end of the spectrum, which is needed for photosynthesis, to pass through and reach the plants growing behind, while preventing the scorching effect of UV light.

Hamish Watson, chief executive of Polysolar, told RIBA Journal: ‘The semi-transparent panels do not absorb the full spectrum and are around 10%  less efficient than conventional PV. However, the team is trying to determine now how much energy can be generated from the plants and whether that can make up the deficit. We are also looking at factors such as how much light can be produced at different times of year, whether it needs to be supplemented with LED lighting, and the detrimental impact on plants of getting too much sunlight.’

The solar panels are based on those Polysolar installs into greenhouses, producing electrical energy to power irrigation pumps or artificial lighting.


 

Latest

Want to work on one of London’s largest estate regeneration projects, secure the future of a Cornish market town landmark or design new healthcare facilities across England? These are some of the latest architecture contracts and competitions from across the industry

Latest: Architect for Stratford’s Carpenters Estate, Phase 2

The trend for dark finishes - even down to tiny details - is reshaping hotel interiors with designers specifying the deepest greys and anthracites for ironmongery, fixtures and fittings

Designers are specifying architectural ironmongery, fixtures and fittings in deep, dark finishes for their hotel commissions

There’s a spiritual sort of philosophy about Studio Circle Growth’s house Casa de Mi Luna, which adopts local style, sustainable materials – and fun

Studio Circle Growth adopts local style, sustainable materials – and fun

The first ever net zero planning policy by a local authority shows long-term carbon savings and a focus on heat pumps, but issues with compliance, costs and air permeability targets

Bath & North East Somerset initiative shows strong CO2 savings despite cost and compliance problems

The proportion of staff time spent on billable hours is an important contributing factor to profitability

The proportion of staff time spent on billable hours is an important contributing factor to profitability