Genetic Engineering and the Energy System: How to Make Ends Meet

Marchetti, C. (1978). Genetic Engineering and the Energy System: How to Make Ends Meet. IIASA Research Memorandum. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: RM-78-062

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Abstract

World forests produce an amount of carbohydrates of the order of 100 TW. Man uses about 8 TW, mostly in the form of fossil fuels. Many proposals have been made to link the two systems in order to alleviate the world's dependence on fossil fuels.

An analysis of the structure of the two systems suggests the characteristics that an interface between them would have.

An analysis of the mechanisms of plant parasitism and symbiosis, particularly of Rhizobia, shows that the interface could be created by genetic engineering.

In the configuration proposed the cost of high-quality fuels from solar energy would be less by one order of magnitude than that of current schemes.

The great sophistication required to develop the biological components of the system and the great simplicity in applying it in order to collect solar energy, are a perfect example of technological transfer suited for the recipient, that is, developing nations.

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