10 Biomimicry Examples in Renewable Energy

Biomimicry, the practice of drawing inspiration from nature to solve human challenges, has become a powerful tool in the field of renewable energy. By observing and understanding the strategies that have evolved in the natural world, scientists and engineers have developed innovative technologies that promote sustainability, efficiency, and environmental harmony.

In the renewable energy sector, nature’s designs are being applied to optimize energy production, storage, and distribution.

Are you interested in sustainability? Also read: How Nature-Based Solutions and Biomimicry Work Together

Below are ten compelling examples of how biomimicry is shaping the future of renewable energy. 

1. Solar Panels Mimicking Photosynthesis 

One of the most well-known examples of biomimicry in renewable energy is the development of solar panels inspired by the process of photosynthesis. Plants have evolved a highly efficient system for capturing sunlight and converting it into energy, known as photosynthesis. Scientists have sought to replicate this natural process to create solar panels that can capture and convert solar energy more effectively.

Researchers have designed solar cells that mimic the way plants use chlorophyll to absorb sunlight, improving the efficiency of photovoltaic systems. These bio-inspired solar cells have the potential to significantly reduce energy costs and increase the adoption of solar power worldwide. 

 2. Wind Turbines Inspired by Fish Schools 

Another example of biomimicry in renewable energy is the design of wind turbines that are inspired by the movement of fish schools. Fish schools move in coordinated patterns to optimize their energy efficiency in water. By studying the way schools of fish work together to reduce drag and create smooth motion, engineers have designed wind turbines that mimic this behavior, like this wind farm that at the California Institute of Technology.

These turbines are designed to optimize their placement, reduce turbulence, and increase the overall efficiency of wind energy systems. The study of fish schools has led to the development of more efficient and less noisy wind turbines, making them an ideal choice for both onshore and offshore installations. 

3. Tidal Energy Generation Inspired by Whale Tail Movement 

Tidal energy has been harnessed for centuries, but recent innovations are inspired by the movement of whale tails. The design of modern tidal energy devices, such as water turbines and fins, mimics the powerful, yet graceful, motion of a whale’s tail fin. Whales’ tails are not only powerful but also highly efficient in their movement through water.

This efficiency is being used as a blueprint for tidal energy systems that generate electricity from the rise and fall of ocean tides. By mimicking the whale tail’s ability to move fluidly through water, engineers have designed turbines that can operate more efficiently in varying tidal conditions, generating more energy with less wear on the machinery. 

You can read more about this in this study done in the UK.

4. Solar Panel Movement Inspired By Sunflowers

HelioSkin is a flexible, 3D-printed photovoltaic system developed at Cornell University that takes inspiration from nature to improve solar energy efficiency. By mimicking the way sunflowers track the sun, this system adjusts its shape to optimize light absorption. It achieves this using origami and kirigami techniques, which allow the material to fold and bend without the need for mechanical tracking systems.

This design enables solar panels to be more adaptable, making them suitable for curved surfaces and unconventional structures. By increasing efficiency and flexibility, this design represents a new approach to integrating solar technology into sustainable architecture and energy systems.

5. Termite-Inspired Cooling Systems for Energy-Efficient Buildings 

Termites have long been known for their ability to regulate temperature within their mounds, even in the harshest environments. By using natural ventilation and passive cooling techniques, termites are able to maintain a constant temperature inside their nests, regardless of the external climate. Engineers have applied this principle to the design of energy-efficient buildings that utilize natural ventilation and passive cooling to reduce the need for air conditioning and heating in the EastGate Centre in Zimbabwe.

These termite-inspired systems help reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and create more sustainable buildings. By mimicking the behavior of termites, architects and engineers are designing smarter, energy-efficient structures that benefit both the environment and their occupants. 

You can also read: How to Become a Sustainability Consultant

6. Coatings for Solar Panels Inspired by Lotus Leaves

The lotus leaf is known for its self-cleaning properties, as dirt and water slide off its surface due to microscopic structures that create water-repellent coatings. Engineers have applied this principle to solar panel design, creating coatings that mimic the lotus leaf’s surface.

These hydrophobic coatings keep solar panels clean and free of debris, ensuring that they remain efficient and productive in all weather conditions. By reducing the amount of dirt, dust, and other debris that accumulates on solar panels, these lotus-inspired coatings help maintain optimal energy production, reducing the need for costly maintenance and cleaning services. 

You can read more about the method and its applications in this research paper.

7. Wind Turbine Blades Inspired by Honeycomb

The hexagonal pattern found in honeycombs has long been admired for its strength and efficiency. This pattern is now being used in the design of wind turbine blades. The honeycomb structure distributes the load evenly and minimizes material usage, making the blades both lightweight and strong.

By incorporating the honeycomb pattern into wind turbine blade design, engineers have been able to create more efficient and cost-effective turbines, like this design from Katrick Technologies. This biomimicry not only increases energy production but also reduces the environmental impact of wind turbines by reducing the materials needed for manufacturing. 

8. Composite Materials for Energy Storage Inspired by Spider Silk

Spider silk is incredibly strong and lightweight, making it one of the strongest natural materials known to man. Researchers have studied the molecular structure of spider silk and applied it to the development of composite materials used in energy storage systems. These spider silk-inspired materials are lightweight, strong, and capable of storing large amounts of energy.

By using these materials, energy storage devices, such as batteries and capacitors, can be made smaller, more efficient, and longer lasting. The use of biomimetic composite materials in energy storage devices could revolutionize the way we store renewable energy, making it more accessible and practical for widespread use. 

9. Solar Concentrators Inspired by Butterfly Wings

Butterfly wings have evolved to optimize for light reflection, and engineers have looked to them for inspiration in the development of solar concentrators. Solar concentrators are devices that focus sunlight onto a small area to generate more power.

Prototype solar concentrators designed mimicking the wing scales from butterflies demonstrated an increase in solar panel energy output by more than 42%. These biomimetic solar concentrators increase the efficiency of solar energy systems by focusing more sunlight onto solar cells, improving energy production in a smaller area. 

10. Water Harvesting Technologies Inspired By Beetles

The Namib Desert beetle has evolved the ability to collect water from the air, using its unique shell to capture moisture from the fog that rolls in from the ocean. Engineers at Infinite Cooling have applied this behavior to the development of water harvesting technologies that can capture moisture from the air and convert it into usable water.

These beetle-inspired systems are being used in remote areas to provide clean drinking water, but they also have applications in renewable energy systems. The ability to capture water from the air can be combined with solar or wind energy systems to create self-sustaining power and water generation systems, particularly in arid and remote areas. 

How Biomimicry is Shaping the Future of Sustainable Energy Solutions 

Biomimicry is a driving force in the development of innovative renewable energy solutions. By learning from the designs that nature has perfected over millions of years, engineers and scientists are creating technologies that are not only more efficient but also more sustainable.

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Author bio: Jennifer Arndt is a Senior Digital Content Specialist at Composites One, a leading provider of process materials. Arndt is a marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience. She has been a key architect in shaping Composites One’s digital landscape, driving transformative strategies that not only elevate the company’s online presence but also lay a robust foundation for its future digital identity. Her visionary leadership continues to inspire innovation and excellence within the organization. 

Interested in more? Also read: The Best Biomimicry Examples in Biology