Work

Laboratory-scale development of hybrid micro-PEC–biovoltaic emergency power systems from organic waste

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The increasing demand for reliable and sustainable emergency power systems has driven interest in decentralised energy technologies capable of operating under variable and resource-limited conditions. In this study, a laboratory-scale hybrid Micro-photoelectrochemical (Micro-PEC)–Biovoltaic system powered by organic waste was developed and systematically evaluated for emergency energy applications. The hybrid system integrates a visible-light-responsive Fe₂O₃/BiVO₄ photoelectrode with a biovoltaic unit employing electrogenic bacteria and a proton exchange membrane. Electrical performance was assessed through repeated testing under varying organic waste concentrations, dynamic illumination, and load conditions. The hybrid configuration achieved an average voltage of approximately 0.41 V, an average current of 1.25 mA, and an average power output of 0.51 μW, outperforming standalone Micro-PEC and biovoltaic systems while exhibiting improved operational stability. Load variation tests revealed a well-defined maximum power point at ∼200 Ω, and the system showed rapid, reversible voltage and current responses to light interruption. Progressive improvements in emergency performance indicators, including availability, reliability, resilience, and cumulative energy delivery, were also observed. These results demonstrate that coupling photoelectrochemical and bioelectrochemical processes yields an operationally stable and adaptable energy platform. Overall, the proposed hybrid Micro-PEC–Biovoltaic system offers a low-complexity, environmentally sustainable approach for decentralised emergency power generation from organic waste, with promising potential for future scale-up and further practical feasibility investigation.

Source: Next Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.nxener.2026.100994