Title: Biophotovoltaics and Biohydrogen through artificial photosynthesis: an overview

Authors: Ruma Arora Soni; K. Sudhakar; R.S. Rana

Addresses: Energy Center, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462003, India ' Energy Center, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462003, India ' Energy Center, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462003, India

Abstract: In today's world, the prices of fossil fuels are increasing day-by-day, the availability of non-renewable fuels is depleting and pollution is causing major harm to the environment and health of living organisms. There is a crucial need for using new ecofriendly and renewable fuels. Bioenergy production from microalgae has attracted the most attention as increasing energy access and energy security are seen as key actions for reducing poverty, and access to modern energy services as electricity or liquid fuels is a basic requirement to improve living standards. Biophotovoltaics are "living solar panels" which generate electricity by capturing sunlight. They are biological electrochemical systems that function in a way similar to microbial fuel cell. Biophotovoltaics use photosynthesis of algae and moss along with light and water to generate electricity or renewable energy along with some by-products. Algae based solar panels and algae covered lily pads can play a significant role in offshore power generation. As algal cells have excess electrons being stored inside during daylight hours, biophotovoltaics power station can generate energy during the night also. This article discusses the potential of algae, moss, lotus and lily as biosubstrate for hydrogen and green electricity production.

Keywords: algae based solar panels; biophotovoltaics; biosubstrate; hydrogen; moss; photosynthesis; biohydrogen; artificial photosynthesis; microalgae; solar energy; solar power; algae covered lily pads; offshore power generation; lotus plants; green electricity production.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2016.077391

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2016 Vol.15 No.3, pp.313 - 325

Received: 26 Mar 2015
Accepted: 18 Sep 2015
Published online: 29 Jun 2016 *

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