We live in a world where 675 million people have no access to electricity, yet the solution may be literally under our feet. Hernan Asto He understood this years ago, when he studied by candlelight in his house in Ayacucho. Today his bioenergy already lights up 300 Peruvian families and aims to conquer the cities.
Tests underway in Lima demonstrate that no power plants are needed: all it takes is plants, soil and a little ingenuity to transform photosynthesis into clean electricity.
Electricity is born from the roots
Bioenergy of Quotation uses a simple mechanism. During photosynthesis, plant roots release organic compounds rich in glucose that they cannot fully utilize. Microorganisms present in the soil decompose this organic waste, generating a REDOX reaction that releases electrons. Graphite electrodes positioned in the substrate capture these electrons, transforming them into usable electrical current.
The key to success lies in the conductive polymer anode developed by Asto, a corrosion-resistant, non-metallic material that optimizes electron collectionThe system produces energy continuously, 24 hours a day, without damaging the plants in the slightest, which continue to grow normally.
Lima Becomes Urban Laboratory for Bioenergy
2025 marks a turning point for Alinti. After conquering rural villages, technology now is being tested in urban areas of San Isidro and Costa Verde, elegant neighborhoods of Lima. These are no longer simple experiments: the bioelectric streetlights called Gleam They use motion sensors to optimize consumption, turning on only when they detect the passage of people.
These urban trials are a crucial test bed. If bioenergy works in the big city, it can work anywhere. The preliminary data is encouraging: Each Alinti e-POT unit, just 30 square centimeters in size, generates enough energy to power 10-watt LED devices for 6-8 hours straight or charge two smartphones.
The award that changes everything for bioenergy
Il NTT DATA Foundation Global eAwards 2024 recognized Alinti’s transformative potential with a prize of 100 euros and an exclusive acceleration program. The competition saw projects from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Spain and Portugal compete, but Peruvian bioenergy prevailed for its concrete social impact.
Roberto Danino, president of the NTT DATA Foundation, emphasized how Alinti perfectly represents the mission of putting technology at the service of society. 94% of the winning projects of the Global eAwards remain active after years, and 58% obtain additional funding of more than two million euros.
Bioenergy: The Answer to Global Energy Poverty
In Latin America, where 25% of the population lives in rural areas often without electricity, Alinti's bioenergy takes on a strategic value. A research by the Italian Institute of Technology showed that Plants can generate up to 150 volts per single leaf, confirming the potential of this technology.
In addition to energy benefits, bioenergy brings immediate health benefits. By replacing candles and kerosene lamps, Alinti reduces the risk of house fires and respiratory diseases caused by carbon monoxide and benzene. As I explained in this article, biotechnology is opening up unthinkable scenarios for energy sustainability.
The green future starts with plants
The Lima tests are just the beginning. With the award funds, Asto plans to expand to other Latin American countries, bringing bioenergy where it is needed most. Technology is evolving rapidly: the new Alinti models A-bro integrate touch controls to adjust light intensity and colors, transforming bioenergy into an intelligent home ecosystem.
Hernán Asto's story shows that great innovations often arise from personal needs. The child who did his homework by candlelight has become the man who lights up the future with plants. And bioenergy, from an impossible dream, is becoming the reality that can change the way we produce energy in the world.
