How Space-Based Solar Panels Could Address Global Energy Crises

How Space-Based Solar Panels Could Address Global Energy Crises
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Nov 05, 2024

As global energy prices and emissions from unsustainable processes mount, new research from Queen's University might show a means of using space-based solar panels to solve problems on Earth. The university's School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EEECS) suggests that specially designed satellites could harness solar energy and transmit it to Earth using microwave beams non-stop, every day of the week.

With a groundbreaking prototype, they successfully unveiled it at the Centre for Wireless Innovation (CWI), a division of EEECS and ECIT. Developed by Space Solar Ltd, in collaboration with CWI, the prototype marks a pioneering achievement in space-based energy transmission.

Compared to solar panels for your home, these can be more effective in handling energy issues. The allure of space-based solar farms lies in their potential to offer uninterrupted energy regardless of weather conditions. This advantage stems from the significantly enhanced energy production of solar panels in space compared to those on Earth, owing to increased light intensity in the absence of atmospheric interference.

The satellites and their apparatuses would be comparatively massive compared to standard solar panels. Equipped with a 2km diameter antenna, the full satellite could supply around two gigawatts of continuous power. For context, this would be more than sufficient to meet the energy demands of one million households on Earth.

These transmission satellites are yet to be extensively tested but they hold a lot of promising applications. Eventual scaled-up plans envision the technology being trialled for space deployment by 2030. Even more ambitiously, the future partnership between these institutions foresees launching several hundred satellites, a feat that would necessitate over 60 rocket missions per satellite for automated installation.

The current results are the result of ten years of research and development. A notable accomplishment includes the development of CASSIOPeiA (named after a large constellation located in the northern sky), Space Solar's satellite design featuring a pioneering solid-state power-beaming architecture capable of maintaining solar alignment while orbiting moving objects and transmitting power back to Earth.

The trials and tests in the current phase have been instructive, simulating as close to a deep space environment as possible on Earth. Successful testing of the prototype satellite within CWI's anechoic chamber, equipped with more than 150 individual antennas, signifies a crucial milestone in pre-field testing proof of concept. Further trials are designed to refine and upscale the technology in the coming years.

Dr. Neil Buchanan, lead researcher at Queen's CWI, highlights the initial financial investment required but emphasizes the subsequent revenue generation potential and positive environmental impact once the satellites are operational. The project would require sending multiple vessels in space and that's just the start of it. Other expenses would include maintaining and monitoring the satellite.

Martin Soltau, co-CEO of Space Solar Ltd, expresses gratitude for the partnership with Queen's and underscores the transformative potential of space-based solar power in facilitating another means of alternative energy sources.

"We value hugely our close partnership with Queen's and together, in just six months, we have delivered this world-first demonstration of 360 power-beam steering, which is a core requirement for the operational power satellite.

"We look forward to building on this successful project as we scale up the technology together. Space-based solar power can help deliver the energy transition with reliable, affordable energy from space, and Space Solar and our partners are leading the way."

Key breakthroughs in the development process include solving the challenge of precisely steering microwave power beams towards Earth amidst satellite movement and designing innovative antenna structures for energy transmission. Additionally, the creation of high-efficiency microwave-energy transmitters and patented beam-steering circuits represents significant advancements in the field.

Research funding from entities like the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the UK Space Agency, the UK Department for Energy, Security, and Net Zero (DESNZ), along with Space Solar, has been instrumental in driving this pioneering endeavour forward.

In terms of scientific achievements, there have been numerous breakthroughs on the road to this innovative program. The team has been instrumental in solving the problem of accurate steering for a microwave power beam towards Earth. The main difficulty with this had been compensating for movement in the satellite due to the Sun's relative position to the Earth's position.

The team also designed a new type of cross-helical antenna array structure to beam the energy back. The satellite produces a high-efficiency, microwave energy with a novel transmitter that boasts an 85% transmission efficiency.

All in all, the process is a success that produced a novel new method for producing energy while also taking less space on Earth. Moreover, with the use of space as the environment instead of Earth, atmospheric factors can be minimised.

It's not all smooth sailing, however. Space can be much more complicated than Earth for numerous reasons. That's why field-testing is crucial but it can also be immensely expensive.