How plants could help power the green energy transition  

Biological science is changing the way we harness and manage renewable energy, according to a new study from researchers at The Australian National University (ANU).  

The study shows how some plant species have evolved to capitalise on the properties of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) – a group of metals essential to the energy transition. Biology has already inspired new metal extraction techniques. For example, “biomining” accounts for approximately 15 per cent of copper mining.  

Co-author Professor Caitlin Byrt said we should be looking to biology for inspiration when it comes to efficiently using critical resources, like REEs, to harness and manage clean energy for things like powering our cars and homes. 

“Plants are masters of finding efficient strategies for managing and transferring energy. Some plants, for example, exhibit enhanced photosynthesis when they can access REEs,” she said. 

“Investigating how plants use these elements in their processes for transferring energy efficiently and precisely could inspire new photon-harvesting devices that mimic photosynthesis, for example.” 

REEs are most valuable in their pure forms, which according to the report’s authors, can be challenging to extract from ores in natural deposits. 

“Mechanisms that living organisms use to manage REEs have evolved over millions of years to generate new ways of extracting these valuable resources,” lead author Dr Samantha McGaughey said. 

“Exploration of how REEs interact with biological processes is important for planning the sustainable management of REEs going forward, as we start to rely more and more on these critical resources.  

“We need to look at developing innovative approaches to use, reuse and recycle critical resources like REEs and copper to ensure we’re also minimising negative impacts on the environment. For example, recycling from secondary sources like waste materials can reduce the need for REE extraction from primary sources, using methods that typically lead to disruption of natural ecosystems.”  

Professor Byrt added that while there’s exciting potential for using REEs resources to manufacture cutting-edge technologies for the future, prioritising the responsible use of these critical resources is important.  

“This means prioritising the use of critical resources in technologies that improve the quality of life for our communities,” she said. 

“Further work in this area of plant science, supported by the Australian Research Council, is expected to help pave the way forward for sustainable use of the resources needed for the clean energy transition.” 

The study has been published in Plants, People, Planet.