Space Solar Power: A Leap from Science Fiction to Economic Reality
Key Ideas
- Space Solar plans to orbit solar power plants to beam gigawatts of electricity to Earth by 2030, starting with a 30MW project in Iceland.
- Challenges include finding suitable receiver locations, cost of rocket launches, and co-locating rectennas with offshore wind farms for space solar arrays.
- The UK firm IECL will provide the orbiting solar array using innovative phased array technologies, aiming for cost competitiveness with wind and solar power on Earth.
- The US has also shown interest in space solar power research, with agencies like the US Naval Research Laboratory and US Air Force getting involved.
The field of space solar power has rapidly moved from the realm of science fiction to economic viability. Space Solar, a leading firm in this sector, is developing a solar power system that will orbit Earth, capturing solar energy and transmitting it wirelessly to ground-based stations. Their collaboration with Transition Labs aims to deliver 30MW of electricity to Iceland by 2030, with plans for massive scale-up. Challenges include finding suitable receiver locations and managing costs, but innovations like co-locating rectennas with offshore wind farms are being explored.
The UK firm IECL will provide the orbiting solar array using innovative phased array technologies. Their system, CASSIOPeiA, combines concentrating mirrors and lightweight solar panels for efficient power transfer. Space Solar anticipates cost competitiveness with traditional power sources once the system is operational. In the US, interest in space solar research has been growing, with agencies like the US Naval Research Laboratory and US Air Force investing in the technology.
Overall, the potential of space solar power to provide constant and predictable clean energy is promising. With advancements in technology and decreasing launch costs, the dream of beaming solar power from space to Earth may soon become a reality.