Photo: Shamengo.com
Although we typically associate the term with slimy green muck, the word algae actually represents a large, diverse group of simple microorganisms that have lived on Earth for billions of years. Various forms of algae have been around forever, but only recently have we discovered that they can be used as little green allies in combatting the environmentally detrimental CO2 emissions that are being expelled into the atmosphere daily.
French biochemist Pierre Calleja has come up with a very innovative solution to mitigate these carbon emissions—streetlamps filled with CO2-eating algae. Calleja foresees this cutting edge lighting infrastructure to be utilized in underground garages and on roadsides where they would be at their greatest carbon filtering potential due to the high level of carbon emissions—25 percent globally—associated with car exhaust. The first set was recently installed in a parking lot in Bordeaux.
The lamps themselves are tube-like translucent tanks filled with green algae. The lighting network operates on a battery that charges during the day by microalgal photosynthesis aided by sunlight, while the CO2 required to run the lamp is absorbed from atmospheric carbon emissions. Due to the fact that the lamps store the power produced not only by solar rays but also CO2, they could become one of the most efficient off-grid lighting suppliers that don’t run off solar power.
Not only do these innovative streetlights look cool, but if they one day become a regular fixture in urban areas, they could have a massive impact on air pollution in places where trees are scarce. Each lamp absorbs up to a ton of CO2 a year—more than 150 to 200 times more than a tree.
By Michelle Oznowicz
Awesome! I applaud Mr Callega for this great discovery. I wish our leaders would take up this challenge and make our environment really cleaner with these algae streetlight, or at least start a pilot in some of our biggest cities. My only concern would be the vandalism-prone glass pillars.
If I had the money I would invest in this fantastic project rightaway! Alas, but I will tell everybody willing to listen.
Great idea. Now, the scientist in me wants the answers to a few questions: If it’s powered by photosynthesizing algae, then how can you make it efficient indoors or in a parking garage? Not so much sunlight there, guys. Second, I assume good-old O2 is one of the byproducts. Where does the carbon go, and how do you clean it up? What is the energy cost of all that maintenance?