Bioelectricity generation in established cacao (theobro-ma cacao), oil palm (elaeis guineensis), and peruvian amazon grass (axonopus compresus) crops: Insights from amazonian soils

As urban populations continue to grow, the global energy demand is expected to rise accordingly. Bioelectricity generation constitutes a promising and environmentally friendly alternative for sustainable energy production. This study evaluated the energy performance of biocells with galvanized graphite (GG) and copper-aluminum (CA) electrodes, which were installed in soils cultivated with three typical Amazonian crops: cacao (Theobroma cacao), oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), and Peruvian amazon grass (Axonopus compressus). Voltage and current measurements were recorded twice a day over a seven-day period. According to the results, the cacao-cultivated soil with GG electrodes achieved the highest electricity generation, with a voltage of 537 mV, a current of 0.17 mA, and power density of 26.2 mW/m2. In comparison, the oil palm soil with GG electrodes reached a maximum voltage of 444 mV and a power density of 10.8 mW/m2. CA electrodes showed lower energy yields across all crop types, reinforcing the importance of electrode material selection. By demonstrating significant bioelectricity generation in Amazonian agro-industrial crops and ornamental grass, this research highlights the potential of agricultural soils as renewable energy sources. As the first study to assess electricity generation in established Amazonian soils, our work provides novel insights into soil-based bioelectricity, an underexplored avenue for sustainable energy production. These findings pave the way for further research on optimizing bioelectricity generation in tropical soils, offering an innovative perspective on integrating renewable energy solutions into agricultural landscapes.