Energy companies are exploring alternative ways to access less conventional clean energy sources in a bid to support a global green transition and accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels. One of the energy sources being explored it space solar power. Scientists have discussed the potential for beaming solar power from space for decades, but until now it seemed like a pipedream. However, thanks to technological innovations, it may soon be possible.

According to a recent study, putting solar panels in space could reduce Europe’s terrestrial renewable energy needs by 80 percent by 2050. The study used a detailed computer model of Europe’s future power grid to assess the potential for a network of space-based panels to deliver clean energy to the region. The panels, designed by Nasa, could significantly reduce the cost of Europe’s power network, by up to 15 percent, it found. It would also reduce our reliance on battery storage to make the solar power supply more stable.

The King’s College London-led study looks at the use of space-based solar power (SBSP) system, which uses mirror-like reflectors to collect sunlight in orbit to transmit sunlight to specially designed stations on Earth before converting it into electricity to deliver to the grid. The computer assesses the delivery of power to a European transmission network spanning 33 countries. The researchers found that SBSP could be used to replace as much as 80 percent of the region’s land-based renewable energy to provide a more reliable source of clean power.

While the modelling does not account for certain challenges that may be encountered by generating solar power in space, including orbital congestion, transmission interruptions, and beaming variability, it provides significant hope for the future of clean energy delivery.

One of the main barriers to the rollout of the technology is the initial set-up costs involved with launching such complex, large-scale solar space project. The SBSP project assessed in the study would not be cost-effective until around the mid-century due to the building, launching and maintenance costs involved at present.

There are additional risks that must be assessed before any SBSP can be developed. King’s College professor Wei He said, “There are some risks to consider, such as how the satellite in space could have too many solar panels. Could it cause collisions or be damaged by debris in space?” However, SBSP technology shows significant promise for the future of clean energy and decarbonisation if those risks can be mitigated.

SBSP projects are already being developed in some parts of the world, such as Japan, which views the technology as key to achieving a green transition. The Japanese government will support the launch of giant solar panels measuring 2 km2 into space to produce clean electricity using solar energy. The satellites are expected to be capable of generating power 24 hours a day, regardless of the weather and will produce an estimated five to 10 times more power than ground-based solar panels. Each satellite is expected to produce 1 million kW of electricity, equivalent to the output of a nuclear power plant. The microwaves used by the system can also penetrate clouds and rain to provide optimum power delivery.

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This year, Japan plans to take its first steps to achieving space solar power by launching a 180 kg satellite into low Earth orbit to send a meagre 1 KW of power to a ground antenna. While the energy output is expected to be very low, if achieved it could encourage other governments to run pilot projects to eventually achieve commercial solar space power production. The project is called OHISAMA, the Japanese for sun. 

For future commercial operations, receiving antennas on Earth will need to be big enough to receive the power, spanning several kilometres, as the solar satellites will be travelling at an immense 28,000 kilometres an hour. However, Japan plans to use thirteen receivers spread over a 600-square-metre area in the city of Suwa to capture the microwaves sent from the solar panels, to provide proof on concept. If successful, Japan plans to launch bigger solar satellites to transmit more clean power to Earth.

Meanwhile, in 2023, in the United States, Caltech successfully demonstrated its Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD-1), the first space-borne prototype from the university’s Space Solar Power Project (SSPP). MAPLE, short for Microwave Array for Power-transfer Low-orbit Experiment, has an array of flexible lightweight microwave power transmitters driven by custom electronic chips that were built using low-cost silicon technologies, which researchers aim to use to deliver space solar power to Earth.

To achieve space solar power, governments and scientists worldwide must work together to understand the potential risks of the technology rollout as well as establish international regulations on the use of space solar power satellites. This will lay the groundwork for the testing of innovative space solar technologies over the coming decades, which could be used to significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels in support of a global green transition.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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