The European Space Agency has a plan to solve our energy crisis: bring it in from space

It looks like something out of a science fiction novel or a sketch of that killer “Death Ray” Persecuted by Washington and Moscow during the Cold War of Show European Space Agency (this is). However, what you see in these lines is just a recreation with which the intergovernmental agency intends to demonstrate one of its most ambitious projects in energy matters: rethinking solar energy thanks to the SBSP.

The concept is more cool than the picture.

What is that from SBSP? So the acronym space solar energy. Or what is the same, “space solar”, a descriptive designation that leaves little to the imagination. SBSP basically proposes to take advantage of solar energy in a somewhat different way than we are used to: the energy will be captured by huge geostationary orbit satellites, which will be responsible for receiving it 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and then converting it to low-density microwaves transmitted to receiving stations located on the ground.

An ambitious dream…a complex dream. The idea is as ambitious as it is complex and still requires studies and technological development, but so far –Claims Intergovernmental AgencyMore than technical drawbacks, previous analyzes have noted “exorbitant challenges” that make it difficult for SBSPs to be economically viable. What are the challenges? As the agency itself admits, the satellites and receiving (straight) antennas will have to be huge, which in turn means that we will have to be able to manufacture and assemble large structures in space.

We will also need to better study the effects of low-energy microwaves, their compatibility with other satellites and aircraft, or even define the regulatory framework. To move forward on this path, the European Agency set off Solaris InitiativeWhich has a preparatory nature and seeks to pave the way for decision-making. Its goal is to provide evidence that will help the authorities assess whether it is worth betting on SBSP in the future.

Imagine for # Zero Carbon The future with solar power plants in space collects sunlight 24/7 and transmits energy to #a land☀️ ☁️ 🌍 @this is Explores how space-based solar energy can provide clean energy and struggle # Climate change.
👨‍💻 Join the online workshop: https://t.co/OeFHzpIahF pic.twitter.com/9PgDvqydAC

– human spaceflight (esaspaceflight) November 29, 2021

Why all these complications? Because the award, which AESA values, can be just as ambitious. “Unlike ground-based solar power plants, SBSP will provide continuous, stable, and (uninterrupted) carbon-based power to an electrical grid similar to nuclear, hydro, coal and gas plants,” Agency arguesconfirming that SBSP plants will complement conventional panel factories and can be deployed both on land and at sea.

The agency claims the proposal’s potential and that efforts at Solaris in aspects such as manufacturing, in-orbit assembly or photovoltaic efficiency may have other applications. Citing examples, the European Space Agency suggests a scenario that each satellite emits 2 gigawatts (GW) of energy toward Earth. Move that tooBecause of its large arrays of solar panels, a powerful enough plant will be visible as a star in the night sky.

Steps Taken by Solaris. Not everything is theory or paper. When it was launched, the Solaris Initiative aspired to pave the way, leaving arguments on the table for the ESA Council at the ministerial level. It is scheduled to take place at the end of this month. “The objective will be to pave the way for a possible decision in 2025 on a complete development program, determining technical, political and programmatic feasibility,” Agency picked up. Indeed, steps have been taken in this direction. timid and still far from dispelling doubts; But steps forward, anyway.

during Airbus X-Works Innovation FactoryThe airline, which took place in Munich at the end of September, embarked on the project, and conducted an experiment on a small scale: it showed how microwaves can be used to transmit energy over a distance of 36 meters and light up a miniature city. The article aspires to demonstrate the feasibility of energy transfer between two points that simulate “space” and “earth”.

Solar energy is transmitted from space wirelessly to Earth. @this is It will research the key technology of space-based solar energy #SBSP ☀️🛰️📡thru her # Solaris Initiative.

One of these – Wireless Power Transmission – was recently introduced by Tweet embed in 🇩🇪https://t.co/S0UwVsGpmO pic.twitter.com/hSghjWwTcf

– ESA Technology (ESA_Tech) November 9, 2022

Small version of the show. “We have successfully tested key components of a future small-scale space solar power system for the first time; we are ready to take Power Beaming to the next level.” Airbus highlights, which explains how energy was used during the show to produce green hydrogen. The multinational also provides some clues about the ultimate deployment range, such as if they want to reach the power of a nuclear plant, the satellites will have to be about two kilometers wide.

outside the European Agency. The European agency is not the only one who has considered the possibilities of SBSP. Japan Space Agency also even NASA They have discovered a similar path. In the spring, SpaceNews actually claimed that the agency decided to rethink the feasibility of space solar power. ESA target now passes, to get to knowTo provide the keys so that at the end of the month you can make an “informed decision” about your future.

Cover photo and video: Airbus s this is