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Sunlight is probably the most sustainable form of energy that exists; it is certainly the most abundant. The problem, however, is that it can’t be used to fuel everything. For example, we are not able to use it as a fuel for our vehicles. In fact, in most instances where fuel is needed and/or used in our everyday lives, it is in a liquid or gaseous form.

The renewable fuels portfolio does not currently offer a solution in this area but, that may be changing very soon, and we have plants to thank for it!

Plants? But, how?

Well, plants have a very special ability to take sunlight and turn it into the fuel they need to thrive. Plants create the chemicals they need to nourish themselves by using carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight. Scientists are working to create a process that mimics what plants do to turn sunlight into usable fuels.

Simplified, the formula looks like this: sun + water + carbon dioxide = sustainable fuel.

What does this look like in practice? Researchers are racing to develop equipment that can do what plants do. Plants are able to split water into its composite parts: hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is a fuel that we currently use. For example, we see its use in fuel cells. However, this process can be taken further to produce fuels such as methane and ethanol which are much more energy dense than hydrogen.

Once the equipment has been developed, the next phase is to figure out the market viability and scalability. We are so close to being able to, essentially, put sunlight in our gas tank. I am excited to watch how this technology develops!

The savings never stop!

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Sources:
https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/113/17/4545.full.pdf
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200824123406.htm