The most unusual alternative sources of electricity

Every year we need more electricity. Scientists have to invent unconventional ways to generate it – inexpensive and safe for the atmosphere. Here’s a look at some unusual developments in the electric power industry.

When most people think of ways to generate electricity, the first things that come to mind are solar energy and wind power. But what if there were other, more unusual sources of electricity? Believe it or not, there are many alternative sources of electricity that can be tapped into, and some of them are quite surprising. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most unusual sources of electricity out there. So read on to learn more!

Energy from sea waves

In April 2021, the British company Mocean Energy presented Blue X, a prototype of a machine that will convert the kinetic energy of sea waves into electricity.

The principle of operation is as follows: the installation is placed on the surface of the water, it swings on the waves and sets in motion the pivot in the middle. That in turn triggers a generator, which generates electricity and redirects it to land via cables.

How to use it

According to the estimates of Mocean Energy, 50 million buildings could be supplied with electricity if only 1% of the total wave energy available in the world could be used. By comparison, there are about 14 million residential buildings in Russia.

Energy from DNA

It turns out that organic molecules can also convert solar energy into electricity. In 2021, German scientists succeeded in synthesizing a supramolecular – that is, more complex than an ordinary molecule – system based on DNA.

The system is based on fullerene, a “soccer ball” of 60 carbon atoms. A dye is attached to it, which absorbs sunlight and gives the resulting energy to the fullerene. But a problem arises: if such supramolecules are not ordered, the current between them will flow with difficulty, and over time, it will fade out altogether.

Scientists came up with the following solution: they attached fullerene-based supramolecules and a dye to DNA spirals. This way, the electrons’ movements become ordered and the electric current does not fade.

How to apply it

The researchers do not promise that all rooftops will soon have solar panels made of DNA, but they plan to develop this field. They predict the technology will be cheaper, stronger and more durable than silicon-based solar panels.

Respirators with solar cells

Berlin-based inventor Heinz Knupske has turned a respirator into a device that generates electricity. It’s essentially a familiar mask with a small solar panel attached to its surface.

How to use it

The battery generates enough energy to recharge your phone or watch. At the beginning of 2021, China already set up mass production of “solar” masks and sent the first batch to Europe.

Solar sails

In 2019, the Planetary Society deployed the LightSail 2 sail on one of SpaceX’s rockets, and it was successfully tested.

A solar sail is almost the same as a regular sail on ships. Only it’s not driven by the wind, but by solar energy – the flow of charged particles that the sun emits. If you catch this flow of energy, you can travel in space for a long time along a given route, and you won’t need fuel for this.

How to use it

Using the Planetary Society’s work, NASA plans to use the sail to reach the Moon in 2021 and then travel to the near-Earth asteroid 1991 VG.

Infinite energy from the air

In 2020, scientists at the University of Massachusetts created Air-gen, a generator that creates electricity using natural protein and moisture from the air.

Using Geobacter proteobacteria, scientists grow a protein that can conduct electricity. They make it into a film less than 10 microns thick – several times thinner than a human hair – and place it between two electrodes. The protein draws moisture from the air and creates a current between the electrodes through its thin pores.

The Air-gen is best at 45% humidity, but also works well in arid regions like the Sahara. The generator does not depend on weather conditions and works even indoors.

How to use it

So far, Air-gen’s power is only enough to power small electronics. Soon, scientists will develop a version for cell phones and smart watches, so they never run out of power. And if researchers can combine Air-gen with wall paint, homes will have an endless source of electricity.

Electricity from wood

If you squeeze wood and then return it to its original state, it generates electric voltage – albeit very low. Scientists from Switzerland have conducted several experiments and in 2021 managed to turn wood into a mini-generator.

The researchers changed the chemical composition of wood. They put it in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid, dissolved one of the components of wood bark – lignin – and left only cellulose. As a result, the wood turned into a “sponge” that returns to its original shape on its own after compression. According to the scientists, such a sponge generates an electric voltage 85 times higher than that of ordinary wood.

How to use it

While the researchers are testing the material. They have already found out that the energy of 30 wooden bars with a length of 1,5 cm will be enough to power an LCD display.

Liquid fuel from solar energy

Right now, electricity is made by burning fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas. This method has two problems: fossil fuels are bad for the environment and will run out someday. This forces scientists to look for a substitute for organics.

Since 2001, Chinese scientists have been trying to convert solar energy into liquid fuel. After 20 years, they succeeded.

Researchers managed to get a liquid product with a minimum of impurities – the methanol content in it reaches 99.5%. It took three steps:

• Turn the light from the solar panels into energy;
• Use that electricity to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen;
• To combine hydrogen and carbon monoxide to make methanol.

How to use it

Unlike oil and coal, this fuel burns cleanly. If China succeeds in mass production of liquid methanol, there will be much less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere – China accounts for about 29% of global emissions.

Overview of the world’s most unusual alternative sources of electricity

While some of these alternative energy sources may have a ways to go before becoming mainstream, others are well on their way. If you’re looking for an interesting project to invest in, or want to know more about the options available to you when it comes to powering your home or business, be sure to check out our website for reviews of the latest and greatest in green energy technology. With so many exciting new developments in this field, there’s no telling where renewable energy will take us next.