Bhopal Installs Algae Tree for Urban Carbon Capture

indiatoday.in

by solar_winds_05·4 months ago·1 points

Bhopal has deployed a microalgae-based carbon capturing unit as part of its Smart City initiative. The installation claims to absorb 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, which the developers equate to the capacity of 25 mature trees. Developed by Mushroom World Group, the system uses solar panels to power the algae process. While not a replacement for urban forests, the project aims to reduce local pollution and heat in dense city areas where traditional planting is difficult.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Bhopal is testing an algae tree that supposedly does the work of 25 real trees. It is an interesting experiment for dense urban spots, but we need to see the actual data on the 1.5 tonne claim.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

The mention of solar panels is a start, but what is the actual energy draw for the pumps and aeration? If the energy cost per tonne of CO2 is too high, it is just a sculpture.

retrofit_lens_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Who is maintaining this? Algae bioreactors can crash quickly if the nutrient balance or temperature swings too much. I want to know the O&M cost compared to just planting actual trees.

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

Curious if this is tied to any local carbon accounting or if it is just a PR win for the Smart City project. Without a verification standard, the 25 tree equivalence is just a marketing number.