Ever since we first started using solar power back in the 1970s, scientists have been looking for a way to beam solar energy from space since it would essentially solve the world energy crises and provide an almost unlimited source of renewable energy. Now, in line with these efforts, a Japanese public-private partnership is reportedly aiming to conduct the first trial run of this technology in 2025, by launching solar panels into space to generate electricity at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers.
First proposed by an American physicist back in 1968, the concept revolves around converting solar power into microwaves in space, similar to electromagnetic radiation used in microwaves, and then transmitting them back to Earth, where receiving stations convert these microwaves back into electrical energy. This approach not only addresses the current challenge of renewable energy generation but also overcomes the limitation of solar power during cloudy weather.
Japan’s role in developing this technology
Over the past few decades, Japan has been at the forefront of developing this technology, with a group led by former Kyoto University President Hiroshi Matsumoto spearheading the efforts. In the 1980s, they achieved the first successful transmission of power via microwaves in space and in 2015, the Japanese space administration, JAXA, in collaboration with Kyoto University professor Naoki Shinohara successfully transmitted 1.8 kilowatts of power over a distance of over 50 meters to a wireless receiver.
However, it is important to note that other countries, including the United States, in collaboration with the California Institute of Technology and the European Space Agency, are also working on their own methods to commercialize space-based solar power.
While recent advancements and future plans to implement this technology on a large scale have the potential to transform the future of humanity, cost remains a significant challenge. Currently, to generate approximately 1 gigawatt of power, equivalent to that of a nuclear reactor, the solar panels would need to measure 2 kilometres on each side. As a result, even with all the technological advancements, the current installation cost for such a system exceeds $7.1 billion.
2023-05-31 15:08:59