Bristol team develops photosynthetic proteins for expanded solar energy conversion

A team of scientists from the University of Bristol, has developed a new photosynthetic protein system that enable an enhanced and more sustainable approach to solar-powered technological devices. This is the first time, the scientists were able to build a single protein system that uses both chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll, and in doing so have demonstrated the two pigment systems can work together to achieve solar energy conversion.

The initiative is part of a broader effort in the field of synthetic biology because using proteins in place of man-made materials are expensive and can be harmful to the environment when the device becomes obsolete.

The aim of the study was the development of "chimera" photosynthetic complexes that display poly-chromatic solar energy harvesting. According to the statement issued by Dr Mike Jones, Lead author of the study and Reader in Biochemistry at the University of Bristol:

"We have assembled these two proteins, from very different parts of the photosynthetic world, into a single biological photosystem that enables expanded solar energy harvesting. We have also demonstrated that this system can be interfaced with man-made electrodes to achieve expanded solar-to-electric conversion."

"In the past, two main types of protein have been used for solar energy conversion in technological devices. The first are from 'oxygenic' photosynthetic organisms -plants, algae and cyanobacteria - that contain chlorophyll as their main photosynthetic pigment and produce oxygen as a waste product of the process. The second are from 'anoxygenic' organisms, bacteria that contain bacteriochlorophyll as their primary photosynthetic pigment.

In collaboration with photo electrochemistry colleagues at the Free University Amsterdam, the scientists from the University's BrisSynBio Institute, purified a 'reaction centre' protein from a purple-coloured photosynthetic bacterium and a light-harvesting protein from a green plant (actually made recombinantly in E. coli) and locked them permanently together using a linking domain taken from a second bacterium.

The result is the first single complex with a well-defined protein and pigment composition that shows expanded solar energy conversion.

The BBSRC and EPSRC-funded study, the breakthrough, is an example of a synthetic biology approach, treating proteins as components that can be assembled in new and interesting ways using a common and predictable interface.

"This work shows that it is possible to diversify the protein systems which can be built into devices beyond those which nature supplies, using a simple approach achieved purely through genetic encoding," said Dr Jones.

In the next step, they are expanding the palette of photosynthetic pigments, using proteins from cyanobacteria containing bilin pigments that absorb yellow and orange light, and exploring linking enzymes to these novel photosystems in order to use sunlight to power catalysis.

The Benefits of Renewable Energy

It is important to understand that renewable energy is not a new concept or recent fad. Rather, it has been used for years, and recently impressive strides in technology, innovation, and efficiency.

However, as history would have it, the preferred method of energy has been the one that costs less upfront, as opposed to renewable energy, which keeps the environment cleaner and costs less in the long run. We want fast results at low cost and this is not the case in the renewable energy. Yet adopting it on an individualized and broad-scale has many amazing benefits.

As people become are concerned about the environment, and their personal contribution to the carbon footprint, other energy sources have taken centre stage. Increasing awareness and action towards reducing carbon footprints can have a lasting positive impact.

Incorporating renewable energy at your home or business, every step in the right direction matters.

This guide will explore some of the major benefits associated with renewable energy.

Provides an endless source of energy

The major benefit of renewable energy is that it won’t run out. It’s even in the name. Gas, coal, and oil are becoming difficult to procure. The sun, water, and wind will provide a virtually never-ending supply of energy that everyone can use. Therefore, renewable energy offer hope to developing nations where traditional fossil fuel sources are either unavailable, inaccessible or too expensive.

Reduces the impact we have on global warming

As humans, we have been polluting the environment with toxic chemicals and emissions such as carbon dioxide, PFCs and more. This pollution has also affected the ozone layer, caused global warming, elevated sea levels, drought, extinction, and even increased occurrence and severity of major storms.

With the use of renewable energy, we can reduce or eliminate many of the human-made driving forces. Renewable energy is clean and comes from green sources that will allow us to respond to global warming instead of contributing to its negative effects, many of which have serious and devastating downstream effects.

Saves valuable resources (including money)

The assumption that coal, gas, and fuel are the only affordable option is false; the use of renewable energy only requires that we pay for the initial setup. Although the initial installation of renewable energy sources may be expensive, they eliminate the cost of refills, maintenance, and the cost of operating and using energy in the first place.

Since, the sun, wind, and other natural sources are free, in the end, you will be saving thousands of dollars immediately after the initial investment of installation.

Can drastically improve public health

Pollution is a major contributor to sickness and poor health. Not only is renewable energy clean, but it prevents us from polluting the elements that could otherwise be used as our source of energy. The use of gas and coal contributes both directly and indirectly to breathing problems, heart disease, cancers, and many other debilitating and life-threatening conditions.

Creates jobs

The use of renewable energy requires additional specialized labor than the traditional energy sources. The technology needed for the successful design, development, production, and installation represent a major job opportunity, with this budding field within the energy sector projected to grow with no signs of slowing down. It is estimated that the use of renewable energy will employ about 24 million people worldwide, particularly from the solar industry and wind industry.

Manufacturing labour, construction and turbine installation, logistics, finances, transportation needs, and legal consultation jobs are few that are needed to make the use of renewable energy a possibility.

 

Relies less on foreign energy sources

Renewable energy can be produced locally, which is beneficial when it comes to our reliance on foreign sources that can increase or decrease supply at will and thus impact pricing at the pumps.

Majority countries relies on fossil fuels which is imported, and that is extremely expensive to begin with. The use of renewable energy will not only decrease the dirty pollution, but it will also save money from importing fossil fuel, and eliminate our need for foreign assistance.

Final Verdict

Renewable energy, from geothermal, to sun, wind and more may hold the key to long-term sustainability, and preservation of the world as we know it today. Consider doing your part by exploring renewable energy options in your area today.

Massive Solar Panels in Chilean Desert Point to our Renewable Future

Despite unrest in the country causing to withdraw from hosting the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25), its ambitious plans for a renewable energy future continue. This dramatic image of a solar facility, contrasting starkly with the ancient sand of the Atacama desert, shows how those intentions are becoming reality. 

Following the global climate change deal signed in Paris, this project is a source of hope because it demonstrates how far renewable technology has come. They have already pledged to phase out coal-fired power by 2040 and be carbon neutral by 2050. But in a bid to hold other countries to further-reaching pledges, it is now looking for ways to bring forward its own deadlines.

These panels are in the Solar Jama plant, along the coast from Chile’s capital, Santiago. It is located thousands of metres above sea level, and the arid desert air contains very little water vapour, allowing more sunlight to reach the solar cells. It is built to harvest the energy of the sun via a growing field of giant mirrors that radiate out for more than a kilometre across the ground below with a geometric precision that is reminiscent of contemporary art or the stone circles of the druids.

A surge in lower cost solar panels from China in recent years has helped to place it within a whisker of its target to get 20% of its power from renewables by 2025. The market had been flooded with cheap solar panels from China that had helped accelerate Chile’s targets, but meant that Cerro Dominador’s output was only useful for the half of the day not covered by the panels. 

The project was hailed by government and industry as a key component of Chile’s vow to wean itself off imported fossil fuels and large hydroelectric centers, which are struggling to stay online amid a persistent and deepening drought.

Although there are other, bigger concentrated solar power plants in the US, this is the first in South America and is believed to be the largest anywhere in the world to use a single tower and locally mined salt for thermal storage and to drive its turbines.

The sun is so powerful in this 1,100m-altitude desert that it can be dangerous. Along with a harness, helmet and boots, the essential safety items for visitors are dark glasses and industrial-strength sunblock lotion. Despite the heat, security guards on the perimeter have have thick uniforms that cover every inch of their skin.

This will be an iconic project that reduces 840,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. But, the project has to compete with conventional generation, so the challenge is to reduce costs and make it more competitive. The financing for these facilities is a challenge

Power Emergency in Pakistan

The Natio­nal Electric Power Regula­tory Authority (Nepra) has asked the prime minister to declare a national power emergency and take drastic steps for scaling down about Rs1.93 trillion circular debt which, according to the regulator, is significantly higher than reported by the power division. The power regulator has advised the government to declare a power emergency to take a series of steps on urgent basis. Under this emergency, Nepra has suggested a ban on labour unions for ensuring and enhancing recoveries for and from distribution companies and proposed that there should be no imported fuel-based power projects.

Nepra advised that some low hanging fruits should be plucked immediately by loan restructuring of Rs53bn per year for eight thermal power plants, including three LNG-based, three coal- based and two nuclear power plants.

The power bureaucracy has long been notorious for its total lack of transparency, especially with regard to its reporting of financial data. When pressured by its political bosses to improve its performance, it routinely resorts to managing the numbers rather than the outcomes on the ground.

It might sound like alarmist talk when the power sector regulator advises the prime minister to declare a ‘power emergency’ in the country.

Power bureaucracy showed an improvement in performance without actually having achieved anything. Given the discrepancy between the figures concerning the circular debt presented by the power bureaucracy and the regulator, perhaps the call should be taken seriously.

For the period ending Dec 31, to take one example, there is a Rs74bn discrepancy in the amount of the circular debt that was reported by the power division and Nepra. The nature of the power system is such that there is no way to reconcile the two different numbers, other than sending both the parties into a room with a neutral arbiter of some sort, who is able to emerge with the correct amount.

The regulator also reported that monthly circular debt touched the lowest ebb of Rs3.25bn in June 2016 and had since been increasing. The average build-up amounted to Rs10.8bn by June 2017, followed by Rs25.58bn by June 2018 and then Rs41bn a month by June 2019. It slightly reduced to Rs39.67bn by Dec 2019 and went up again to Rs42.4bn in Jan 2020.

The regulator, Nepra, has now reportedly told Prime Minister Imran Khan directly, and in the presence of high officials from the power bureaucracy, that the circular debt figures being reported by the latter are not correct; it has presented its own figures as a counterpoint. Given this lack of transparency, the continuing rise of the circular debt indeed looks like an emergency.

The government prefers to blame this situation on the rising capacity payments, given the recent additions to power-generation capacity under the previous government. There was always a concern over the rising capacity charges that have come with the new additions under the last government. Warnings were even sounded from within at that time, but they were quickly brushed aside as the power projects continued.

Nevertheless, with such opacity in the figures, it is difficult to accept this claim at face value. It could just as easily be the result of poor billing and recoveries. Perhaps while they are busy reconciling their numbers on the circular debt, those in charge can also produce an independent analysis of what is driving the current increase.

Nepra has also suggested that industry should be asked to operate at night to reduce peak and special economic zones should be developed on priority to increase power demand. It is becoming imperative to get to the bottom of what has gone wrong, because the circular debt is now touching Rs2tr. This climb cannot be sustained forever.

Related Article:

https://www.reonenergy.com/changing-dynamics-give-birth-to-it-tower-business/