Friday 30 September 2022 06:08 PM Solar farms in space 'could provide a reliable source of renewable energy to ... trends now
Solar farms in space could provide a reliable source of renewable energy to the grid and offer an alternative option to nuclear power in future, experts have claimed.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking at a plan that would take advantage of the fact the sun never stops shining in space, and sunlight is much more intense there than on Earth's surface.
It would involve assembling a satellite several miles long in orbit with a solar array — which would be illuminated by the sun more than 99 per cent of the time.
The energy would be beamed back to Earth via high frequency radio waves and power would be produced day and night regardless of what the weather was like on the surface of our planet.
Supporters of the idea say that a single plant may be able to deliver around two gigawatts of renewable power into the grid, which is about the same as a nuclear power station here on Earth
Technology: Solar farms in space could provide a reliable source of renewable energy to the grid and offer an alternative option to nuclear power in future, experts have claimed
The energy would be beamed back to Earth via high frequency radio waves (as shown above)
Recent studies suggest the concept, called space-based solar power, is theoretically workable and could support the path to decarbonising the energy sector.
However, experts say significant uncertainties and technical challenges still remain, which is why a research and development programme known as SOLARIS as been proposed.
The physics involved means that these satellites would have to be large, around several kilometres in size, and the same being true for the collecting 'rectennas' down on Earth's surface.
This in turn would require technical advancements in areas such as in-space manufacturing and robotic assembly, high-efficiency photovoltaics, high power electronics and radio frequency beam forming.
Further research to confirm the effects of low-power microwaves on human and animal health and compatibility with aircraft and satellites would also have to be carried out.
But the technology could offer 'an alternative option to