In the article “This Self-Proclaimed Micronation Has Plans for a Car-Free, Algae-Powered City”, Peters (2016) shared that Liberland will be built on a basis of being able to minimize pollution while using a genetically engineered version of algae and other forms of renewable energy to power the city. In addition, the designer proposed that the city will be a car-free zone with main transportation only through the usage of bike, train, and pedestrian path. The city will be developed in multiple layers of compact buildings to utilise the land space. The city buildings will be designed to counter the effects of heat wave by integrating green walls and roofs to reduce the temperature. The Economists were also part of the design team that proposed the three economic hubs in the area of sustainability, media, and technology to facilitates the economic growth of the city. All these designs are in accordance with the main vision of Vit Jedlicka, the president, to keep Liberland as green as possible through renewable energy.
I believe that Ani’s design concept of genetically engineered Algae could be utilised to power up the city using renewable energy.
Firstly, Ani’s design concept of the Algae-powered building is very similar to a green building in Hamburg. According to Whitlock (2013), an article on “IBA Hamburg opens the first algae biomass building”, he stated that Germany company, International Building Exhibition (IBE) Hamburg has built the world’s first ever algae powered building that runs on biomass. This building was named as Algae Building and was launched for residential purposes with 15 units available. Whitlock also stated that the microalgae are well maintained in the glass container filled with water that is able to generate the required biomass and heat required for producing energy sources to supply the building.
Secondly, according to sources from Hay (2014), an article named “Hamburg Now Has An Algae-Powered building”, he stated that the Algae absorb in CO2 gases which allowed them to produce gases which can be further cultivated in a process that creates renewable green energy sources. In addition, he also states that algae could be collected and made into biofuel, which can be processed in a generator to produce electricity power. He further elaborated that the Algae powered building was able to reduce pollution and provide an alternative source of renewable energy in areas such as heat and electricity.
Lastly, due to the fact that fossil fuels will eventually run out in future, it is essential for the world to find alternative sources of energy. According to sources from the Invigorate website, it states that algae were able to generate electricity itself. The process of it dividing the water into hydrogen and oxygen allows the hydrogen to be obtained. By using the ‘hydrogen fuel cells’ to generate electricity, it does not produce unnecessary greenhouse gases that harm the environment. In addition, algae give out hydrocarbons which are molecules that can be found in fossil fuels. This allows the usage of algae as a source of biofuel to supply power. The benefits of algae were the abilities to grow quickly and to get replenish easily whenever required.
In conclusion, the examples provided above about algae were evident in showing the effectiveness of producing an alternative source of renewable energy. With the rise of technology, it is possible that we can continue to harvest energy sources from algae and explore other forms of renewable energy that can eventually power the world in future.
References
Whitlock, R. (2013, May 14). Biomass - IBA Hamburg opens the first algae biomass building - Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism. Retrieved September 26, 2016, from http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/article/iba-hamburg-opens-the-first-algae-biomass-20130514
Hay, M. (2014, September 23). Hamburg Now Has an Algae-Powered Building. Retrieved September 26, 2016, from https://www.good.is/articles/algae-powered-building
Why is this important? (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2016, from http://invigorate.royalsociety.org/ks4/meet-the-algae-diversity,-biology-and-energy/why-is-this-important.aspx
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