Energy innovation seems to have no limit. The race to develop the best renewable energy technology has even reached space technology. This is the case of China, which has decided to take the energy revolution a step further. The great power does not change its opinion and continues to bet on solar energy. Its new project is to receive energy from space through the launch of a solar satellite into Earth’s orbit. Through this space turbine, all that clean energy coming directly from the sun can be received and almanaced on Earth without hindrance of clouds or nightfall.
China and solar energy
It is undeniable the amount of resources that countries are investing in the tireless race to find the most efficient, cheap and practical way to obtain clean energy. Electric, solar, hydrogen, wind, hydraulic… There are so many options that have never been chosen for fossil fuels, that now that it is their turn, scientists do not know how to exploit them in the best way. Many countries and companies have opted for electric motors, as in the case of US car manufacturers – and some European-.
However, China does not participate in this competition. Since the beginning of the energy transition, the Asian giant has bet on solar energy, contrary to what many think. It has made great strides in both the automotive sector and energy supply in general. Now, he has decided to go one step further and eliminate “intermediaries” in obtaining sunlight.
Space turbine orbiting
The amount of space debris around our orbit is worrying. However, if we see a 1km wide space turbine, at least it will be for a good cause. It is the new project of China, through which it intends to collect sunlight with a collector at 36,000km in orbit. It has not yet become a reality, but if so, that energy is expected to be 10 times more efficient than Earth’s solar panels.
How would it work? It is intended to collect energy without having any obstacles. No day-night cycles, clouds or atmospheric dust will interfere with space. In this way, it is easier to capture the energy and it is done in less time.Although the procedure does not appear to be more difficult, its operation is more complicated.
How would the solar connector work?
- The cells that collect solar energy are 1km wide and are fixed on the Earth.
- Integrated on-board systems convert energy into microwaves.
- The Earth receives these microwaves, converted into electricity through rectifier antennas.
- It is said that the energy would be more powerful because the connector would not stop collecting energy constantly.
Three Gorges Dam of Space
The world-famous Three Gorges Dam, is a Chinese hydroelectric plant, located in the course of the river Yangtze. It is the largest in the world, not only in size but in capacity. Based on this installation, China has wanted to replicate in some way, this idea in space. Senior rocket scientist and principal member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Long Lehao, declares that the goal is to create a solar power station in space. If it succeeds in imitating the Three Gorges project, China would achieve energy independence based only on clean and sustainable energy.
Advantages of this Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) endeavor
Besides solar energy, the project will focus on other aspects such as:
- Collect 10 times ma energy than Earth’s solar panels.
- Continuous energy production.
- Global energy use.
Although the expectations of Chinese researchers are positive, it is true that the project is encountering several obstacles. Many researchers do not see the use of microwave transmissions as safe, and raise economic and geopolitical problems. That is why we will have to wait to see what progress China offers and how it can meet the concerns of other countries.
