Harnessing Tree Power: Energy Storage Technology Articles: Eco20/20

Harnessing Tree Power

Over the last few decades there have been many discoveries of new ways to harness green energy. Sun, wind and hydropower has provided green energy to homes and businesses across the world for many years. Because the health of the planet is at stake, scientists continue to seek even more ways to produce energy with less impact to the environment. Recently, the discovery that trees are a source of energy has been big news.

The concept that electricity could be harnessed from living trees began in 2006. During research of the forest environment scientists discovered that there were pH differences between the inside trunk of trees and the soil surrounding them. This natural condition creates voltage differentials. This is the same type of voltage that is found in rechargeable batteries used in households around the world. The charge was created by hammering a nail into the tree trunk and placing a conductor in the soil. This emitted a consistent charge through a wire. Scientific research estimates that it is possible to tap 5 to 300 nanowatts of current from each tree every time.

One very practical application for this discovery is to utilize the power from the trees to make fire alarms for use in forests. One green energy company designed such alarms that work from charging a battery connected to a sensor. The sensor powers a radio transmission which sends soil and air conditions to U.S. Forest Service environmental monitoring stations. The same sensors send a crisis signal if the temperature in the air rises suddenly. In 2009 the U.S. Forest Service contracted with a green energy power company to install forest alarm systems using this technology. The first systems were installed in March of 2010 for use during fire season.

There are endless possibilities for the use of this newly discovered tree power. Sensors powered by trees could be used to design motion detectors at border crossings, for example. Similar sensors could detect smuggled radioactive material. At present, energy suppliers use tree power to light LED's and charge NiCad batteries. NiCad batteries are rechargeable batteries that have variable voltage. Other ways to harness and use tree power are also being explored, such as charging hybrid automobile batteries and lighting roads.

At the same time that harnessing electricity from natural trees is reaching toward its potential, the technology to manufacture artificial trees to harvest energy is on the horizon. These fake trees would soak up energy from the sun and wind through "nanoleaves" on natural looking plastic trees. They would be used along roadways, mall parking lots and other areas, soaking up sun and wind created by passing cars without spoiling the look of the landscape. Among other uses, scientists envision car owners pulling up to these trees and plugging in their electric powered cars to charge as they shop.

While some may be skeptical about fake electric trees, such new ideas and technology have led to tremendous energy savings and saving the environment. The need for energy will continue to increase for as long as mankind exists on the planet. Innovative technology and creative thinking are just what is needed to keep up with this ever growing demand.