Go Small

A lot of the energy solutions we talk about are massive — power plants with outputs measured in megawatts, wind turbines that tower above us, national energy strategies (or the lack thereof). Sometimes, though, the most innovative solutions to our energy woes are downright microscopic.

Take, for example, a pair of genetically engineered bacteria called Geobacter and Shewanella capable of converting carbon dioxide into fuel, such as butanol or octanol. Essentially, the using sunlight and carbon dioxide to produce fuel is simply the next step beyond biofuels — rather than trying to extract the chemical energy stored in plant matter that originally derived its energy from the sun, these microorganisms would jump straight to the fuel. And where current fuel cells are still struggling to reduce their size, these artificial microscopic organisms already function as microscopic fuel cells— stealing electrons via protein tubes that extend from their central mass and generating electricity.

A similar pilot project in Texas uses modified single cell organisms to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into ethanol or diesel fuel. Using solar panels to collect sunlight — a method of enhancing the light absorbed that is also being used with the Geobacter and Shewanella bacteria — the organisms “sweat” out hydrocarbon fuel, which can then be easily separated from the water in which they’re suspended.

Add Flow’s earlier article “Water power” on a nanotechnology that allows water molecules to be split into their constituent hydrogen to those microorganisms, and you’ve got tantalizing glimpses into the microscopic world of energy generation. We’re often encouraged to go big or go home, but in a world where we can engineer microscopic solutions to our massive energy use, maybe sometimes it’s better to go small after all.

Image Georgia Tech

Energy in Canada #1

A STRONG PARTNERSHIP
Canada is the largest, safest and most secure supplier of energy to the United States. From supplying natural gas to developing fuel cell technology, Canada is vital to ensuring North America’s energy security.  Read More

THE HYDROGEN HIGHWAY AND BEYOND
Canadian researchers are world leaders in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. This innovation is being shared with our southern neighbour through various government and private partnerships.  Read More

CAPTURING CARBON TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE
Through the Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership, 80 U.S. and Canadian stakeholders are working together to make carbon dioxide capture and storage a viable option for combating climate change.  Read More  In 2008 the Centre for Energy in partnership with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars hosted the ninth cross-border forum on energy issues. Seventy-five participants, including academics, policy makers and industry representatives assessed the importance of carbon capture and storage to Canada and the United States in developing resources and addressing climate change. The Centre for Energy sat down with the seven panelists who led the discussion at the forum. The interviews give listeners a technical, environmental and social perspective on carbon capture and storage. Listen In

POWERING A NATION
In 2007, Canada exported over $3.1 billion in electricity to the United States. An increasing portion of this electrical energy is being sourced from renewable sources, such as hydropower and wind power. Read More

FROM FOOD TO FUEL
Producers on both sides of the border are exploring the many sources of and uses for bioenergy. In 2008, Canada had 16 ethanol plants and four biodiesel plants operating or under construction, with a total capacity of 1.9 billion litres per year. Read More

The brightest ideas of 2008

From ideas that are bright because of their simplicity to ideas that are simply bright. Check out the best and the brightest from 2008.

The expression “reliable as the tides” is an expression for a reason. The tides are as reliable as sunrise and sunset.  Finding ways to harness this cheap, renewable, and predictable energy source definitely counts as a bright idea.

If the downside to biofuels is diverting crops from food production…well, then what about using crops that have no food value?  Research into cellulosic biofuels such as switch grass aims to give us the best of both worlds.

Of course, a review of the year’s brightest posts should include the one titled “A Bright Idea.”  MIT’s announcement of new storage capabilities for solar power definitely qualifies.

Hydrogen fuel cells are the bogeyman of renewable energy sources – often threatened, seldom seen.  It’s never been cost-effective or efficient enough to be practical, but researchers at Penn State have discovered it might just be possible – even if just eventually.

No cars, no problem?

From biofuels to fuel cells, public transit to a host of government programs, there are any number of ways for Canadians to reduce vehicle emissions, which represent 25 per cent of our country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Or we stop driving cars altogether.

For some Canadians, the thought of abandoning their beloved vehicles is enough to invite blind rage. After all, in the second-largest country in the world, geography is hardly on our side, and our cities aren’t always built for human feet. But in June, BC celebrated pedestrianism with the fourth annual Car-Free Vancouver Day. Closing selected streets in Canada’s third largest city, the day involves a series of festivals celebrating a car-free lifestyle. It’s a “no cars allowed” concept as old as a neighborhood block party, though not necessarily welcomed with the same warmth you’d hope for from your neighbors.

But where Vancouver’s one-day event is a voluntary party with an added benefit of reducing traffic, across the Pacific, China is preparing to remove forcibly remove vehicles for an even greater festive purpose.

In the run-up to the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing has instituted a unique plan to reduce vehicle emissions, requiring even and odd-numbered licensed cars to drive on alternating days. With the city already well known for its dense air pollution, to the point that any Olympic event lasting longer than an hour may be cancelled due to air quality concerns, Beijing’s vehicle restrictions will take place along with other measures like banning further construction during the games. It’s an interesting notion to literally halve the amount of vehicles on the road, but in a culture where driving has become a potent status symbol, taking Chinese cars away from their drivers may be no easier than it is to separate Canadians and their beloved gas-guzzlers.