Researchers at Wageningen University have discovered a means of collecting electricity from waste CO2 emissions.

The CO2 problem

Most people are familiar with the problems caused by CO2 emissions from factories and power plants. But the vapours from ominous-looking towers could be about to receive some good press.

A team of PhD students at Wageningen University has just developed a technique to glean electricity from waste CO2 emissions.

During a research project, the Wageningen students discovered that waste combustion gases produce energy when combined with air molecules.

The team then developed a means of capturing this energy and converting it into one of humanity's most valued products: electricity.

Making fossil fuels greener

Although coal and gas power-plants can never be truly environmentally-friendly, the developments at Wageningen at least signify a step in the right direction.

By converting waste gases into usable energy, this technology can increase the potential of finite fuel. Power plants will be able to produce roughly 6 per cent more energy without upping their CO2 emissions.

The university's Professor of Biological Recovery and Reuse Technology, Cees Buisman, was extremely pleased. He observed that, "if this technology is used worldwide, we will easily meet the objective of the Kyoto climate change conference."

Following the success of their experiments, the scientists behind this project have already patented the technology. The editors of the prestigious "Environmental Science and Technology" journal even chose it as their headline article this month.

Given the initial buzz surrounding these findings, there is hope that they will quickly translate into a visible improvement in the energy industry.