Glowee: natural luminescence

When we think of pollution, we don’t always think of light. Yet our artificial lighting has a number of perverse effects, whether on animals, whose perceptions it disturbs, or even our comfort, by making the stars disappear.

More prosaically, they consume a lot of energy: street lighting and building illumination consume 2,700 TWh every year, emitting 1,150 million tonnes of CO2. Yet nature also produces light. Who hasn’t heard of fireflies? There are also plants and animals that produce light.

Glowee’s technology

Glowee proposes to harness bioluminescence to light up the cities of tomorrow. It uses DNA sequences from bioluminescent bacteria and implants them in common, industrially-produced bacteria.

The advantages over conventional light production are numerous: the main material is cultivated, so it’s not a resource that’s depleted Bioluminescence produces less light pollution Production and maintenance consume less energy.

History and progress

Founder Sandra Rey was named one of MIT Technology Review’s 10 Innovators Under 35 in 2016. Glowee has just signed its first contract with the town of Rambouillet for street furniture

FAQ

What is the idea behind the Glowee start-up?

Glowee proposes to use the natural bioluminescence of bacteria to provide lighting, particularly for street furniture.

How is bioluminescence produced?

Bioluminescence is produced by a gene carried by bacteria living in symbiosis with squid.