Glittering green glass modules filled with algae for roof and facade: Mexican start-up Greenfluidics wants to equip buildings with biogenerators that absorb CO2, produce fertilizer or biofuel, help with heating and cooling and generate electricity. The biogenerators for the facade should soon be ready for the market.
This reports the technology and science portal “New Atlas”, citing company information. The idea of growing algae on building facades is not new. Since 2013, there has been a building in Hamburg with a biogenerator facade in the form of the concept building “BIQ”.
BIQ experimental building in Hamburg
The “BIQ” grows a type of algae on 200 square meters that absorbs CO2 through photosynthesis and generates oxygen. The more sun that falls on the facade, the faster the algae grow.
Half a kilo of algae absorbs about a kilo of CO2. In addition, the algae modules help with the cooling and hot water supply of the building. The biomass is regularly harvested and can then be processed into fertilizer or biofuel.
Nanoparticles and Thermogenerator
Greenfluidics wants to expand the possibilities with nanotechnology. The start-up is building several layers in its biogenerators – one in which the algae grows, another with a particularly thermally conductive nanofluid, which should absorb more heat.
The absorbed heat can be converted into electricity via a thermoelectric generator. The manufacturer expects an annual electricity yield of 328 kilowatt hours per square meter – however, this seems an extremely optimistic estimate and would be more than with conventional solar systems, calculates “New Atlas”.
Start-up is already looking for first customers
Greenfluidics aims to market its biogenerators in 2022 and is currently looking for the first customers. The plan is to market the algae modules in different versions so that builders can integrate them into their buildings in a visually appealing way.
However, there are unanswered questions – such as maintenance requirements, operating costs and the ideal operating temperature. In the BIQ building in Hamburg, the biogenerators cannot be used in winter, so the technology seems more suitable for warm regions of the world.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
