Sustainable Electricity from Vineyards: The PMFC Technological Breakthrough

Plant microbial fuel cells (PMFC) represent an advanced technological platform that integrates biological and engineering components for electrical energy generation. Through photosynthesis, plants convert solar energy into biomass, releasing organic compounds, such as root exudates, into the rhizosphere. These metabolites are utilized by soil microorganisms for metabolic processes that include electron transfer to an anode positioned nearby. The assembly of an external circuit connecting the anode to a cathode enables the capture of these electrons to generate electric current. Operating entirely with renewable resources, PMFCs are presented as an environmentally sustainable alternative for energy production, suitable for diverse environments, including agro-food systems, without compromising agricultural production or land use. Although the current theoretical maximum energy conversion efficiency of PMFCs is estimated to be around 0.92%—significantly lower compared to photovoltaic systems—PMFCs offer considerable benefits in terms of environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity of construction. The performance of PMFCs is influenced by several critical parameters, including light intensity, atmospheric CO₂ concentration, plant genotype, soil microbial community, and electrode material composition. Preliminary research shows promising results, encouraging further exploration of this technology across different plant species, particularly in extensive crops such as grapevines.