Ex-terrestrial solar energy is an ancient concept but yet not materialized. The sun which shines in the outer space is both brighter and more constant. There is neither day nor night in space. This means that having solar collectors orbiting could provide clean space solar energy 24 hours a day through out the year. If ever energy collected could with a reasonable cost be relayed to our planet earth the world’s conflicts over energy problems could be finally solved.
It is in early 1970s during the oil crises that Solar Power Satellites (SPS) were suggested by Peter Glaser a Czech-American engineer. It was later expected that a SPS of a potential 50-square-km of solar cells was going to be orbiting 36,000 Km just above a particular point along the equator. The SPS would remain at a constant point all the time.
The idea of Space Solar Energy is revolutionary and brilliant. For instance, having satellites with a range of photovoltaic cells harnessing sun’s energy and thereafter converting it into electricity makes it an elegant solution for energy problems. The whole concept drives together to a pivotal focus on some type of microwave generator. The microwave generator would produce a beam through which energy would be sent from space to earth. Once this wave is sent to earth a collector is required to redistribute the energy to the national grid.
However, sending energy from space to the earth can be seen as a science fiction movie whereby villains try to destroy the earth. The reality is that it is a daunting challenge to make the transfer of energy possible. The complexity of solar power satellites makes it hard receive funding to formulate real progress.
Fortunately, in the recent years communication has reached advanced levels and solar power satellites are probed to be revisited. There are already a dozen of satellites orbiting the earth at a rather low altitude transmitting data and videos. Microwave beams are effectively used for communication, it has since 1963 been growing in importance and could properly be used to transfer electrical power.
Low-orbiting satellites can travel around the earth within 90 minutes. This makes it very complex to monitor their pathway. Advanced computer systems are used to adjust the beams so that a station receives the beams continuously.
Future of SPS
The demand for solar power satellites is expected to become more common in the future. Some people estimate that by 2050 there will be around 10 billion people where 85 percent will be in developed countries.
The future might leave typical fossil fuel behind. The challenges of climate change are giving polluting sources of energy a very dreadful connotation. The greatest pressure for new sources of energy is the exhaustibility of conventional sources such as natural gas, oil and coal.
On earth terrestrial renewable energy such as hydropower, wind, solar and biomass are likely going to grow more. However, ground based renewable energy systems are also negative in the sense that they occupy much space. Biomass energy does also threaten agriculture and food supply.
The key of solar power satellites is that it does not make use of land surface. It is also not harmful to food supply. The dilemma of inconsistency is surpassed as rainy or cloudy weathers will no longer affect the continuous supply of the energy from the sun when using solar from the space. The only concern is to establish network of collecting the energy and thereafter distributing it.
NASA as well as the U.S Department of Energy has done very little research in the field of space energy. More sustaining efforts are undertaken by the Japanese. They are already projecting to construct solar panel fields in space. The pioneering engagement by “Japan is expected to be completed by 2030”. There are also companies and investors that are starting to lure to invest in satellites technology.
Solar energy from space to earth is concretizing and will probably become a significant energy source in the future. It might be the solution to eternally resolve the energy crises.
Source: Space Future
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