Chinese scientists report starch synthesis from carbon dioxide(phys.org)
phys.org
Chinese scientists report starch synthesis from carbon dioxide
https://phys.org/news/2021-09-chinese-scientists-starch-synthesis-carbon.html
2 comments
Assuming naively: A serving is 665 kilocalories, or1/3 RDA, worth of starch, 1 serving needed per day per human, and capture, synthesis, and storage is 100% energy efficient, .86 kcal per watt hour of energy conversion rate, then you need 775 watt hours of energy per serving per day.
Assuming a standard solar panel and conditions, a 1sq meter panel captures about 700 watt hours per day.
I'd guesstimate the creation is less than 10% efficient, meaning you need 10-11 square meters of solar panels per serving produced per day.
Processing plants or fungus or bacteria from bioreactors is orders of magnitude more efficient.
Assuming a standard solar panel and conditions, a 1sq meter panel captures about 700 watt hours per day.
I'd guesstimate the creation is less than 10% efficient, meaning you need 10-11 square meters of solar panels per serving produced per day.
Processing plants or fungus or bacteria from bioreactors is orders of magnitude more efficient.
Whoops. Maybe 17%efficient according to the paper. 5 or 6 square meters.
Tricatel factory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-x9Eidqnw8
from Louis de Funès The Wing or the Thigh/L'aile ou la cuisse (1976)
from Louis de Funès The Wing or the Thigh/L'aile ou la cuisse (1976)
And hydrogen would be an important feedstock, so maybe that "hydrogen economy" thing might happen after all.