The City of Raleigh is trying to find out the power of flowers.

The Public Utilities Department has launched a pilot project to try to convert sunflower seeds into biodiesel for use in city vehicles and agricultural equipment.

"The government has a role, I believe, in promoting and using some of these alternative energy technologies," said Tim Woody, reuse superintendent.

The bright yellow blossoms cover a field of nearly fifty acres on the city's Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant site.

The plan is to harvest the plants in the fall. The city hopes to partner with a facility that will be able to dry and crush the seeds to extract the oil to make the fuel.

According to Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro, an acre of sunflower seeds could produce 100 gallons of biodiesel.

Woody said the project is still in the development stages.

"We're still trying to determine what are the economics, how much we can grow, how much we can process, and what are the savings," he said.