EADS Astrium Develops Lasers to Beam Space Solar Power to Earth
EADS Astrium, Europe’s biggest space company, plans to have its own go at space-based solar power. This represents the continent’s boldest move yet into the undeveloped yet promising space solar power (SSP) sector. Last year, Japan announced plans to put energy-generating solar panels in orbit and several U.S. interests are working on it as well.
Space solar power has some distinct advantages over earth-based power. Orbital systems can work around-the-clock and receive zero interference from clouds or atmospheric dust. Furthermore, the concentration of energy able to strike space solar power panels is much more intense than on earth.
In the past, SSP system designs relied on microwave transmissions to transfer collected solar energy to earth. They have experienced controversy due to inefficiency and safety concerns. So, Astrium plans instead to use infrared lasers to beam energy to earth. Initial laboratory tests of their technology have been promising, says the company, and they hope to have a demonstration project in place by 2020, a timeline similar to projects germinating in Japan and the US.
In the meantime, EADS Astrium is working to improve the efficiency of the laser system that will transmit solar power to earth. Similar work on the system that converts received infrared energy into usable electricity is reportedly advancing fast. Financially, Astrium is seeking investments from key stakeholders in renewable energy, like the EU, national governments, space agencies and power companies.
Among projects in Europe, Japan and the United States, it has become more than apparent that space solar power is getting real attention. The SSP concept is an old one, but has always been prohibitively expensive. Advances in space and solar technology, plus our dire need for a new energy paradigm, have the solar industry reaching for the stars. Real, utility-scale systems are probably decades away, but the possibility of a demo project within 10 years is a truly fascinating prospect.
Photo Credit: BBC News
Posted on February 1st in Solar Research by Dan.