Pope Francis has unveiled a plan to transition Vatican City to solar energy as its primary source of electricity in his latest motu proprio “Fratello Sole” or “Brother Sun. ”.
The battery uses vanadium ions, derived from vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), in four different oxidation states. These vanadium ions are dissolved in separate tanks and pumped through a central chamber where they exchange electrons, generating electricity.
With the Apostolic Letter “Fratello sole,” issued motu proprio, Pope Francis provides for the construction of an agrivoltaic plant in the extraterritorial zone of Santa Maria in Galeria, where Vatican Radio maintains antennas for digital broadcasting. By Christopher Wells.