How to store energy from photosynthetic power generation

How do plants capture and store solar energy?

Plants capture and store solar energy through photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, living plants convert carbon dioxide in the air into sugar molecules they use for food. In the process of making their own food, plants also provide the oxygen we need to breathe. Thus, plants provide the energy and air required by most life forms on Earth.

How does photosynthesis work?

Photosynthesis is the process plants and some algae use to convert light energy to chemical energy stored as sugar within chloroplasts — the energy factories found in plant cells. Plants need only carbon dioxide and water for photosynthesis to work.

How much energy is stored by photosynthesis a year?

Despite the low efficiency, the amount of energy stored by photosynthesis each year in the biosphere is still roughly four times that of the annual consumption by humans [ 1 ]. The fossil fuels we use today are all made from ancient photosynthesis. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are decomposition products of plants and animals.

How do photosynthetic plants produce energy?

The photosynthetic apparatus absorbs excitation energy and generates chemical bound energy, much of which is in the form of fixed carbon. So far, most attempts to utilize photosynthetic plants focus on usage of such fixed carbon, mostly saccharides, as a fuel.