Energy storage system from galvanic cell using electrolyte from a plant as an alternative renewable energy

Abstract

The use of sap of plant as electrolyte in Galvanic cell system consisted of zink or iron and copper electrodes is considered as a renewable alternative energy by utilising the spontaneous redox reaction to produce electricity. We study in two ways, in laboratory to learn the effect of sap to Galvanic cell potential and in field with Spondius pinnata trees at Rantau Aceh as the pilot place for electricity from trees project. Sap of plants observed were Aloe vera as the main object and banana and Spondius pinnata stems as comparisons. Then, the saps were used as electrolytes in Galvanic cell to produce electricity. The potential resulted from the cell was measured varied with the pairs electrodes used. The potentials were also measured for the cell using varied electrolytes from saps of plants as well as mineral acids, aquadest and tap water from ground water. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to measure the presence of metal ions in saps. The results showed that the presence of zink or iron and copper ions in sap of the plant observed caused the high potential of the Galvanic cell system as comparison the potentials were lower for electrolytes using mineral acid, tap water as well as aquadest. Meanwhile the distance of electrodes had no potential effect and non linier potential was resulted for the series of the Galvanic cell. To harvest the electricity, iron and copper electrodes inserted in Spondius pinnata plants were used as the source of electricity from trees at Rantau, Aceh to illuminate the remote area at the night.