One of the main disadvantages of renewable energy lies in the lack of efficient ways to store surplus. For example, when a constant wind blows, a person can receive energy in excess, but in a calm time it will not be enough. If man had an efficient technology at his disposal to collect and store excess energy, then such problems could be avoided. The development of renewable energy storage technologies is being carried out by different companies, and now researchers from Stanford University have joined them.
Their idea is to use special bacteria that will convert energy into methane. In the future, methane could be used as a fuel if the need arises. Microorganisms called Methanococcus maripaludis are suitable for these purposes, because in the process of interaction with hydrogen and carbon dioxide, they release methane. The researchers propose using renewable energy sources to extract hydrogen atoms from water. After that, hydrogen atoms and carbon dioxide obtained from the atmosphere begin to interact with microorganisms, which ultimately release methane. The gas will not dissolve in water, which means it can be collected and stored. After that, methane can be burned, using it as one of the fossil fuel sources.
At the moment, the researchers have not yet completed the refinement of the technology, but now they say that the system they have created is effective from an economic point of view. The US Department of Energy took notice of the project by taking over research funding. It is difficult to say whether this technology will solve the problem of storing excess energy, but in the future it looks very attractive.
Source: 3dnews.ru