Chinese scientists create energy from lotus leaves, opening door to plant power source

Study uncovers hydrovoltaic effect of leaf transpiration and gives ‘fresh perspective for advancing green energy technologies’, team writes

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A team of Chinese researchers has built a leaf transpiration generator (LTG) prototype device to show that electricity can be generated using lotus leaves. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Published: 7:00pm, 24 Sep 2024

Chinese scientists have created an energy generator that harnesses the transpiration of plants to create electricity, which could transform almost all leaves on Earth into a sustainable and continuous energy source.

The team said its leaf transpiration generator – which they demonstrated using a lotus leaf – was able to power small electronic devices, and could be used to create plant-powered electricity networks.

“This study not only uncovers the unprecedented hydrovoltaic effect of leaf transpiration but also provides a fresh perspective for advancing green energy technologies,” the team wrote in a paper published in peer reviewed journal Nature Water on September 16.

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Hydrovoltaic electricity relies on the movement and interaction of water with solid surfaces. Current devices often require a consistent water supply, creating geographic limits as devices must be near bodies of water, such as rivers or dams.

“However, the natural transpiration of plant leaves, as the largest water flux on land accumulating immense latent energy, has rarely been directly harvested,” the researchers from the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University said.

“Herein, we pioneered the development of a living lotus leaf transpiration generator (LTG) prototype device to demonstrate a viable electricity generation via leaf transpiration.”

Transpiration is the process of water movement through a plant’s roots to tip, and the evaporation of water through its leaves or flowers. The researchers estimated electricity generation through transpiration from plants across the globe could produce 67.5 terawatt-hours of electricity a year.

“Through further research and technical optimisation, leaf transpiration power generation has the potential to become a widely used and commercially viable technology. Its core advantages are sustainability, eco-friendliness and low cost,” said Hu Qichang, first author of the paper and a professor at the university.