FloraWall is an aesthetic moss wall that uses electrons produced by the plants during photosynthesis to create supplemental electricity for domestic and commercial use.

1. FLORAWALL
Caitlyn Carter, Stephen Livengood

2. PROBLEM AND
INNOVATION Problem Thesis
While solar panels offer many benefits to
domestic users, their value isn’t available to
everyone. Their low efficiency and high cost
make it infeasible to use them in less sunny
and hotter climates.
A new alternative energy source that is versatile
and inexpensive is needed to turn the tides in
the renewable energy movement.

3. SOLUTION
◍ Using moss as a renewable energy source, we can also solve
other environmental problems
○ Can produce clean electricity.
○ Repurposes carbon dioxide.
◍ Flora Wall is both functional and aesthetic
○ Can lower electricity bills
○ Improves respiratory health
○ Form of urban beautification
■ Improves the quality of life of residents.
○ Doesn’t take up extra room

4. EXISTING SOLUTIONS
Moss Voltaics
● Generates electricity
● Uses bricks to create
“microclimates”
● Produces 0.4-0.5 Volts for every
module
CityTree
● London, England
● Holds up to 1,682
pots of moss
● Removes 0.5 lbs
of CO2
in a day
● 240 metric tons in
a year
● 1 CityTree = 275
trees
Flora Wall combines some of
the functions of these existing
solutions.

5. HOW IT WORKS
● “Soil” and moss are placed on foundation to
create a green wall.
○ Soil and hydrogel mixture
● Moss gives off electrons during photosynthesis.
○ CO2
is used as a fuel source
● Anodes are mixed into soil to collect the
electrons

6. HOW IT WORKS (continued)
● Wall lined with cathode collects those electrons
from the anodes
○ Electrons are turned it into electricity.
● Power created can be hooked up to existing power
source
○ Excess power can be stored using batteries
● Creates a supplemental micro-grid

7. ENERGY OUTPUT
● Peak power output of 6.7mW per square meter
of moss
● Lots of room for improvement with more
research
○ Only 0.1% of free electrons are consumed

8. WHY MOSS?
◍ 12,000 different species of moss
○ Customization
◍ Incredibly resilient
◍ Needs little upkeep
○ Low water demand
○ Self-heals
◍ Generally Non-allergic
◍ Cools surrounding air

9. IMPLEMENTATION
● Flora Wall can be installed in homes for a supplemental
power source
○ Offsets energy bill
○ Possible substitute for solar panels
● Adds personality
● Interior and exterior design
● Can also be added to the walls of businesses and other
non-residential buildings

10. COMMERCIAL USE
● Offsets energy bill
● Promotes green-initiatives within companies
● Can create a space where employees can relax
● Positively impacts the surrounding community
● Reduces noise pollution

11. SUSTAINABILITY
◍ Economic
○ Recycled Materials
○ Vertical Wall
◍ Environmental
○ Carbon Sequestration
○ Water
■ Species can be customized to best fit the environment
○ Renewable Energy Source
◍ Social
○ Beautification
○ Improves Health

12. Cost-Benefit
Analysis ● Entering into a world where not being
sustainable and carbon neutral is bad for
business
○ Indirect return on investment through
sociocultural influence
● Cost of moss itself: $43-$107 per sq m
● Cost of Installation: approx. $150 per sq m
● Annual Cost of Upkeep: approx. $50 per sq m
● Carbon Intake: 1 sq m = 4 kg CO2 per day
○ $50 credit for each metric ton of carbon
dioxide captured and stored
■ May soon be increased to $85/metric
ton
○ ~$100 every 250 days per sq m
■ Potentially $170 every 250 days
● Electricity Produced: 6.7 mW per 1 sq m
10 x 10 m FloraWall
Cost of Moss: $7,500
Cost of Installation: $15,000
Cost of Upkeep: $5,000
Carbon Intake Per Year: 1,460 Metric Tons
Carbon Tax Credit Per Year: $5,000 (potentially $8,500)

13. TEAM MEMBERS
Stephen Livengood
Mechanical Engineering
Member
Photo
Caitlyn Carter
Mechanical Engineering

14. Thank
You

15. CITATIONS
Andrew, E. (2019, March 11). This giant wall sucks carbon dioxide straight out of the Air. IFLScience. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from
https://www.iflscience.com/technology/giant-wall-fans-sucks-carbon-dioxide-straight-out-air/.
Bombelli Pet al. 2016 Electrical output of bryophyte microbial fuel cell systems is sufficient to power a radio or an environmental sensor.R. Soc. open sci. 3: 160249. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.160249
Bourland, Laura. “Moss Walls: The Ultimate Guide.” Rise, 16 June 2021,
https://www.buildwithrise.com/stories/moss-walls-the-ultimate-guide#:~:text=amount%20of%20maintenance.-,How%20Much%20Does%20It%20Cost%20to%20Maintain%20a%20Moss%20Wall,in%20an
nual%20maintenance%20and%20care.
City of Charlotte. City of Charlotte Government. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from http://charmeck.org/.
Elena Mitro. (2014). Moss Voltaics. Vimeo. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://vimeo.com/119702162.
Greenscape. “How Much Do Living Walls Cost?” Commercial Landscaping Company Providing Services to Raleigh, Durham and Cary, 8 Nov. 2017,
https://www.greenscapeinc.com/blog/how-much-do-living-walls-cost#:~:text=Clients%20need%20to%20negotiate%20a,%241%2C000%20a%20month%2C%20Herndon%20says.
“Growing Low-Maintenance Moss.” HGTV, https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/landscaping-and-hardscaping/growing-low-maintenance-moss.
IAAC Faculty. (2018, November 23). Moss voltaics - the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. IAAC. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://iaac.net/project/moss-voltaics/.
NC Sustainable Energy Association. (2021, August 17). About Us: North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. NC Sustainable Energy Association. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from
https://energync.org/about-us/.
Schiller, Ben. “Moss FM: The World's First Plant-Powered Radio.” Fast Company, Fast Company, 10 Mar. 2014, https://www.fastcompany.com/3027025/moss-fm-the-worlds-first-plant-powered-radio.
Stott, R. (2016, February 24). This modular green wall system generates electricity from Moss. ArchDaily. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from
https://www.archdaily.com/782664/this-modular-green-wall-system-generates-electricity-from-moss.