{"id":3201,"date":"2022-04-11T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/singularityumexicosummit.com\/?p=3201"},"modified":"2022-04-11T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-04-11T15:00:00","slug":"the-uk-may-build-a-16-billion-solar-power-station-in-space-heres-how-it-would-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/singularityumexico.com\/en\/the-uk-may-build-a-16-billion-solar-power-station-in-space-heres-how-it-would-work\/","title":{"rendered":"The UK May Build a \u00a316 Billion Solar Power Station in Space. Here\u2019s How It Would Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UK government is reportedly considering<\/a> a \u00a316 billion proposal to build a solar power station in space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you read that right. Space-based solar power is one of the technologies to feature in the government\u2019s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio<\/a>. It has been identified as a potential solution, alongside others, to help the UK achieve net zero by 2050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how would a solar power station in space<\/a> work? What are the advantages and drawbacks to this technology?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Space-based solar power<\/a> involves collecting solar energy in space and transferring it to Earth. While the idea itself is not new, recent technological advances have made this prospect more achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The space-based solar power system involves a solar power satellite\u2014an enormous spacecraft equipped with solar panels. These panels generate electricity, which is then wirelessly transmitted to Earth through high-frequency radio waves. A ground antenna, called a rectenna, is used to convert the radio waves into electricity, which is then delivered to the power grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A space-based solar power station in orbit is illuminated by the sun 24 hours a day and could therefore generate electricity continuously. This represents an advantage over terrestrial solar power systems (systems on Earth), which can produce electricity only during the day and depend on the weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With global energy demand projected to increase by nearly 50 percent<\/a> by 2050, space-based solar power could be key to helping meet the growing demand on the world\u2019s energy<\/a> sector and tackling global temperature rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Challenges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A space-based solar power station is based on a modular design, where a large number of solar modules are assembled by robots in orbit. Transporting all these elements into space is difficult, costly, and will take a toll on the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weight of solar panels<\/a> was identified as an early challenge. But this has been addressed through the development of ultra-light solar cells<\/a> (a solar panel comprises smaller solar cells).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Space-based solar power is deemed to be technically feasible primarily because of advances in key technologies, including lightweight solar cells, wireless power transmission<\/a>, and space robotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, assembling even just one space-based solar power station will require many launches. Although space-based solar power is designed to reduce carbon emissions in the long run, there are significant emissions associated with space launches, as well as costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rockets are not currently fully reusable, though companies like Space X<\/a> are working on changing this. Being able to fully reuse launch systems would significantly reduce the overall cost of space-based solar power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we manage to successfully build a space-based solar power station, its operation faces several practical challenges, too. Solar panels could be damaged by space debris<\/a>. Further, panels in space are not shielded by Earth\u2019s atmosphere. Being exposed to more intense solar radiation means they will degrade<\/a> faster than those on Earth, which will reduce the power they are able to generate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The efficiency<\/a> of wireless power transmission is another issue. Transmitting energy across large distances (in this case from a solar satellite in space to the ground) is difficult. Based on the current technology, only a small fraction of collected solar energy would reach the Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pilot Projects Are Already Underway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Space Solar Power Project<\/a> in the US is developing high-efficiency solar cells as well as a conversion and transmission system optimized for use in space. The US Naval Research Laboratory<\/a> tested a solar module and power conversion system in space in 2020. Meanwhile, China has announced progress on their Bishan space solar energy station<\/a>, with the aim to have a functioning system by 2035.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the UK, a \u00a317 billion space-based solar power development (including operating costs) is deemed to be a viable concept based on the recent Frazer-Nash Consultancy report<\/a>. The project is expected to start with small trials, leading to an operational solar power station in 2040.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solar power satellite would be 1.7 kilometers in diameter, weighing around 2,000 tons. The terrestrial antenna takes up a lot of space; roughly 6.7 kilometers by 13 kilometers. Given the use of land across the UK, it\u2019s more likely to be placed offshore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This satellite would deliver 2 gigawatts of power to the UK. While this is a substantial amount, it is a small contribution to the UK\u2019s generation capacity, which is around 76 gigawatts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With extremely high initial costs and slow return on investment, the project would need substantial governmental resources as well as investments from private companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as technology advances, the cost of space launch and manufacturing will steadily decrease. And the scale of the project will allow for mass manufacturing, which should drive the cost down somewhat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether space-based solar power can help us meet net zero by 2050 remains to be seen. Other technologies, like diverse and flexible energy storage, hydrogen, and growth in renewable energy systems<\/a> are better understood and can be more readily applied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the challenges, space-based solar power<\/a> is a precursor for exciting research and development opportunities. In the future, the technology is likely to play an important role in the global energy supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is republished from\u00a0<\/em>The Conversation<\/a>\u00a0under a Creative Commons license. Read the\u00a0original article<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image Credit:\u00a0NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author:<\/strong>
I am a thermodynamicist and I specialise in renewable energy systems. My background is in organic chemical technology, materials engineering and interfacial phenomena associated with complex fluid behaviour. My current research encompasses WHR ORC systems, energy storage, renewable energy and low GWP heat pumps systems.Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Original Article<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The UK government is reportedly considering a \u00a316 billion proposal to build a solar power station in space. Yes, you read that right. Space-based solar power is one of the technologies to feature in the government\u2019s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. It has been identified as a potential solution, alongside others, to help the UK achieve net zero by […]\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[100,101,102,88,21,103],"series":[],"class_list":["post-3201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articulos-ingles","tag-espacio","tag-mars","tag-marte","tag-nasa","tag-space","tag-spacex"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/singularityumexico.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/1024px-ISS._Sunrise_Through_the_Solar_Arrays.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/singularityumexico.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/11711533-1673157178559-89a95be153719-4-scaled.jpg","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/singularityumexico.com\/en\/feed\/podcast\/the-feedback-loop-by-singularity","embedCode":"

The UK May Build a \u00a316 Billion Solar Power Station in Space. Here\u2019s How It Would Work<\/a><\/blockquote>