Solar Fuel

These days, most energy is created with fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Although most people are looking into traditional renewable energy such as solar and wind energy, there is another kind of energy called solar fuel that is also quite viable and it utilizes a process optimized a millennia ago: photosynthesis. The general of solar fuel idea is that instead of using the energy generated from photosynthesis to grow a plant, we instead convert that energy into usable fuel.

The first step is light capture. There is tons of debate going around about what kind of technology should be used and what kind of technology would be the best fitting for solar fuel production, but it has led to mass innovation in the light capture industry. There has also been deeper research in the existing technology as well as new state-of-the-art technology which aims to improve the capture and utilization of light energy. There is a lot to consider in this sector such as the wavelength of the light, the charge of the light, and transportation of the energy.

The second step is water splitting. In order to form any kind of fuel, it is required to move electrons from one species to another. This process is usually done with water as seen with natural photosynthesis. However, in a lab situation, this process is quite difficult to do and requires advanced methods and resources.

The final step is CO2 collection. While most renewable energies such as solar energy and wind energy cause no emissions, solar fuel is especially appealing because it not only causes zero emissions but also decreases emissions. Since CO2 is an ingredient of solar fuel, the production of solar fuel pretty much turns greenhouse gases into usable energy! Furthermore, there already exists a technology that is capable of collecting CO2 from ambient air.

While commonly known renewable energy is still viable, the future of solar fuel is also bright. There is already lots of research going into it and it decreases emissions. Hopefully, one day, in addition to people driving electric cars, people will be driving cars run on solar fuel.