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November 10, 2004
Microbial Fuel Cells
A new fuel cell technology is being developed that will have a huge impact on large hotels and resorts. An article in GreenBuzz shared that research scientists at Pennsylvania State University, in State College, Pennsylvania, are developing a microbial fuel cell that will turn raw sewage into power. The power generated by the fuel cell could run a wastewater treatment plant, for example.
This new technology is valuable for any new lodging development, but especially in developing countries where fresh water, power, and waste disposal are real problems. A fuel cell like this is especially valuable in places with a high concentration of waste, like the waste hotels and resorts generate. The article mentioned that this technology could even be used in space stations which makes me think that perhaps cruise ships could also use it.
Part of the beauty of this fuel cell is that a hospitality venue could generate its own power at the same time it was cleaning its water and disposing of its waste. It has been estimated, by David Bagley at the University of Toronto, that the energy potential in wastewater is almost ten times the cost to treat it. That is a sustainable system; reduce your waste disposal, process your own water, and generate electricity.
Using a microbial fuel cell will be an ECOnomically Sound action in the near future.
Posted by Kit Cassingham
