In Ayacucho, Peru, technology merges with nature to bring light to those who need it most. Hernán Asto Cabezas, a young entrepreneur and visionary, managed to develop a revolutionary system that generates plant-based electricity using plants. This advancement, which already illuminates homes and streets in rural communities, is setting a milestone in the fight for access to sustainable energy.
The innovative device, called Alinti, combines the energy of photosynthesis, soil microorganisms, and solar panels. Its name is a fusion of the words ali (plant in Aymara) and inti (sun in Quechua), reflecting its connection with nature and the cultural roots of the creator.
During photosynthesis, plants produce waste that interacts with soil microorganisms, generating electrons. These electrons are captured by electrodes inserted in a three-level microcell. The resulting electricity is stored in a battery connected to a photovoltaic system that reinforces the charge during the day.
This system can illuminate homes and charge mobile devices with a 10-amp battery. According to its inventor, each unit of Alinti can provide between 6 and 8 hours of lighting or recharge two mobile phones. This makes it an efficient and accessible solution for families living in areas without access to the electrical grid.
Alinti, a new energy production method. Photos: Social networks.
From household to public lighting: Gleam, the evolution of Alinti
The innovation did not stop at homes. Alinti evolved into Gleam, a system designed for public lighting that combines sustainability and efficiency. This version incorporates motion sensors, activating the lights only when it detects people walking in the area, optimizing energy use.
Each municipality can regulate the lighting level according to its needs. Currently, Gleam is already being used in Ayacucho and is expanding to other regions of the country, with the potential to cross borders into neighboring countries.
The humble and creative origin of an inventor
Hernán Asto did not have an easy childhood. Raised in a family with scarce resources, he studied under the light of a candle and faced numerous adversities. However, this did not stop him, leading to his ingenuity and creativity flourishing from a young age, standing out in science competitions with practical inventions, such as a system to lift heavy pots.
His passion for research led him to discover a plant known as Butterfly Flower or Leche-Leche, whose fiber was finer than cotton. This initiative earned him first place in the National Science and Technology Fair (FENCYT) and solidified his decision to dedicate himself to science and innovation.
Hernán Asto, creator of Alinti. Photo: Social Networks.
Plant-based electricity, a vision for the future
After years of testing and sacrifices, Hernán presented Alinti, with the dream of bringing a form of clean, natural, and accessible lighting to both rural and urban areas. Currently, his technology is being tested in urban areas such as San Isidro and Costa Verde, in Lima, demonstrating its versatility and potential in modern cities.
With over three million people without access to electricity in Peru, Hernán raises his voice for a change: “It cannot be that in the 21st century people live without light. We need sustainable cities that prioritize electricity for everyone.”
The impact of plant-based electricity
The system developed by Hernán not only lights up homes and streets but also symbolizes how innovation can transform lives. Alinti is more than a device: it is a bridge to a more sustainable future, where technology and nature work together to close the gaps in energy access.
With this approach, Hernán Asto and his team are illuminating not only communities but also the path to a cleaner and more equitable planet.
Creator of Alinti. Photo: Social Networks.
What are renewable energies and what are their benefits?
Renewable energies are energy sources obtained from natural resources, such as the sun, wind, water, or biomass, and they have several benefits:
- They are inexhaustible and renew faster than they are consumed.
- They do not produce greenhouse gases or polluting emissions, thus not affecting climate change.
- They help protect the environment and reduce air pollution.
- They are a sustainable alternative to energy from fossil sources such as coal and oil.
- They generate direct and indirect employment.
- They reduce the cost of municipal electric energy services.
- They limit energy dependence on foreign sources.
Some examples of renewable energies are solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, geothermal and marine energy.
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