Technology — developed at the University of the West of England (UWE) — that uses urine to power fuel cells was once again put to the test at the Glastonbury Festival last month.

A 40-person Pee Power urinal, developed by scientists at the Bristol Bioenergy Centre (BBiC) (www.brl.ac.uk) in the Bristol Robotics Laboratory at UWE, was given a prime location at this year’s festival — just a few hundred yards from the main Pyramid stage — and was used to power displays giving information and festival updates.

It was estimated that more than 1,000 litres of urine per day flowed through the microbial fuel cells, which were able to generate enough electricity to power 10 information panels.

The fuel cells house bacteria that digest human urine and create biochemical energy as a by-product that can be converted into electricity.

The scientists say that this technology can use ‘any form of organic waste and turn it into useful energy, without relying on fossil fuels’.

Professor Ioannis Ieropoulos, director of the BBiC, said: “This fantastic exposure for Pee Power follows the establishment of a strategic relationship between the university and the festival.”

Last year, Pee Power secured funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the commercialisation of this technology.