Updated on Saturday, November 18, 2006, 00:00 IST

Washington, Nov 18: Researchers have said that the tiny microscopic bacteria could provide the answer to one of the world’s largest problems, the need for clean, renewable sources of energy.

"Imagine the future of energy. The future might look like a new power plant on the edge of town - an inconspicuous bioreactor that takes in yard waste and locally-grown crops like corn and woodchips, and churns out electricity to area homes and businesses," said Judy Wall of the University of Missouri - Columbia, one of the authors of the new report, Microbial Energy Conversion, released by the American Academy of Microbiology.

Wall said the world would face a potentially crippling energy crisis in the next 30 to 50 years.

Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels and the resulting release of carbon dioxide and combustion pollutants will bring about global climate change, the effects of which we are only beginning to realise, she said.

The means of preventing the twin catastrophes of energy scarcity and environmental ruin are unclear, but one part of the solution may lie in microbial energy conversion, she added.

“Maybe the future of energy looks like a device on the roof of your home - a small appliance, connected to the household electric system, that uses sunlight and water to produce the electricity that warms your home, cooks your food, powers your television and washes your clothes. All these futuristic energy technologies may become reality some day, thanks to the work of the smallest living creatures on earth: microorganisms," Wall said.

She said the primary method of microbial energy conversion highlighted by the report was the use of microbes to produce alternative fuels.

She however, said the “study of microbial fuel cells was in its infancy, and the yield and current density were low in today's systems”.

“But, the potential to make great leaps of progress in yield and performance is great," said Wall.

Bureau Report