Faiza Tehseen

Power generation through plant microbial fuel cell (PMFC) technology should be introduced in Pakistan for a sustainable green energy source.

“Plant microbial fuel cell is one of the new methods to produce green energy. Plants can be used as a source of green bio-electricity. To generate carbon sequestration and value-added products, different bio electro-chemical systems can be used, including PMFC, microbial carbon-capture cell, and microbial electrosynthesis,” explained Dr Riffat Tahira, principal scientist at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC).

Talking to WealthPK, she said that PMFC technology can be used to convert organic matter into electricity, using plants and living bacteria in the soil. “Other than electricity production, PMFC reduces methane and conserves nature. This can also be used to desalinate the saline brackish waters.” Tahira said that PMFC is a bio-electrochemical system, connecting the exclusive plant-microbes surrounding plant roots (rhizosphere) with the soil.

“This relationship converts solar energy into bio-electricity using plant-derived organic matter as fuel.” She said: “Plants produce organic compounds -- sugars -- through photosynthesis. These compounds are then released as root exudates, a substance secreted by a plant. It serves as a food source for electroactive bacteria in the soil. These bacteria further oxidise organic matter and produce electrons. To generate energy, an external circuit is used for electron flow.” 

She said that the best plant species worldwide for PMFCs include European water plantain, hammer sedge, red sweet grass, and Indian shoot. “They all have adventitious root systems and thrive year-round along the margins of streams, ponds, ditches, marshes, and rivers, wetlands, open woodland, grassland, poorly drained soils, and artificial water ecosystems.” “In Pakistan, extensive research work is required to introduce the technology.

Being a sustainable energy source, both the introduction and popularity of PMFC can bring a great difference,” Tahira stressed. Highlighting the importance of introducing PMFC technology for energy production in the country, Muhammad Saleem, spokesperson of the ministry of climate change and environmental coordination, said: “Given climate change challenges and the harmful impact of fossil fuels on the environment, PMFC has the potential to be a promising technology for power generation.

Ongoing research on PMFC will play a crucial role in making it cost-effective for a greener energy future,” he said. Saleem said that it is a new concept and may take time to become a mainstream energy solution. “Collaboration among research institutes, government and private sector is required to accelerate the adoption and development of this technology.”   

The ministry official also emphasised the need to raise people’s awareness of the importance of PMFC technology as a natural energy source, so that they can understand the value of plants around them, both for healthy environment and economic benefits. Globally, China, the US, India, Spain, South Korea, Australia, England, Italy, Malaysia, and Iran are advancing in PMFC technology-based power generation.

Credit: INP-WealthPk