Artificial photosynthesis - potential efficiency

[DrTre]

Not sure this is the correct forum but ne'er mind..

Anyone have any idea on how photosynthesis compares with other methods of solar power, and how close we are to it in terms of artificial methods? Seems to me to be quite an obvious way to tackle a few issues at once?

[Simpo Two]

Photosynthesis uses energy from light to convert CO2 to glucose. It's damn complicated; I studied it as an undergraduate.

What were you trying to make? Sugar, electricity or something else?

[DrTre]

Aye, electricity (and the CO2 reduction etc as a benefit). I studied it too, always thought it was a very elegant solution to harnessing energy, using particular molecules for redox(? is it? ... can't remember now)

Fiendishly complex indeed, but nature managed it...strikes me as being pretty nifty although maybe the "energy returns" (for want of a better expression) just aren't that great compared to other methods of solar energy.

[davepoth]

The actual process of photosynthesis, quite a long way. But in terms of using solar energy, water and carbon dioxide to make hydrogen, there's been some stuff in the news in the last few weeks about it. Not very efficient yet, but the scientists are confident they can make it economically viable.