UK startup turns garden soil into round-the-clock renewable power

A British company called Bactery has developed a battery that generates electricity from bacteria living in soil — creating power that flows continuously, even when the sun isn't shining.

Founder Jakub Dziegielowski says the device works alongside solar panels to provide reliable energy. The team has already built prototypes six times more powerful in their labs, aiming to reach 4 watts per cubic metre.

Designed to be maintenance-free with a 30-year lifespan, the batteries can be installed underground. Dziegielowski believes an average-sized UK garden could eventually offset most household electricity bills year-round.

By harnessing naturally occurring microbes in soil, Bactery is exploring how biological processes might help power homes without relying on weather conditions — a promising step for communities seeking renewable energy options that work around the clock.