China's Plans to Produce Renewable Energy in Space

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China’s 1km-wide space solar array is expected to collect energy at a constant rate more than 10-times more efficient than photovoltaic panels on Earth
China’s 1km-wide solar array in space is expected to collect as much energy in a year as the total amount of oil that can be extracted from the Earth

Renewable energy, crucial for the energy transition and attaining net zero status, is broadening its horizons in application.

Solar panels, for instance, harness the sun’s energy to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect, turning light energy into usable power.

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Typically found on rooftops and increasingly in inventive locations such as farmland or beneath railway tracks, these panels are now poised to make a giant leap – into outer space.

China's solar venture in space

Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP or SSP), the concept of gathering solar power in space using solar power satellites (SPS) to send it back to Earth, may sound like science fiction, but it is getting closer to reality.

China plans to build a 1km-wide solar array in the geostationary orbit about 36,000km above Earth.

At this distance from atmospheric interferences such as day-night cycles and changing weather, the array will constantly gather solar energy, anticipated to surpass terrestrial photovoltaic systems by more than tenfold in efficiency.

Once collected, this energy will be transformed into microwaves and transmitted to a ground-based collector station.

Solar captured in space is stronger than that on Earth and is not subject to issues around daylight hours. Credit: Getty

The project has been coined the Manhattan Project of the energy sector — the original Manhattan Project being the top-secret World War II programme that developed the first atomic bombs.

“We are working on this project now,” says Long Lehao, a senior Chinese scientist who is a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and one of the brains behind the project.

“It is as significant as moving the Three Gorges Dam to a geostationary orbit 36,000km above the Earth. This is an incredible project to look forward to.”

Long Lehao shared details of the project during a lecture at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in October, with his speech transcription later released by the academy in December.

What is China's Three Gorges Dam?

While space ventures promise future potential, China already hosts the world's largest hydropower project – the Three Gorges Dam.

Situated on the Yangtze River, this marvel of modern engineering, constructed over 17 years, generates approximately 100 billion kWh annually.

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The dam, a US$25-35bn investment, showcases China's capabilities in monumental energy projects.

Alongside power production, the dam enhances flood control and river navigation, illustrating multiple benefits from such large-scale engineering ventures.

Is space solar energy the future?

Companies like Space Solar are devoted to transforming the bold vision of space-based solar power into a tangible, revolutionary energy source.

In just over a decade, it plans to introduce a scalable, economical and fully renewable energy technology to space.

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This endeavour comes at a time when global electricity needs are expected to double by 2050.

One significant breakthrough from Space Solar is its success in 360° wireless power transmission.

This technology does more than just beam energy; it symbolises the UK's leading role in a global shift towards harnessing space resources to sustain life on Earth.

“This successful test is a really important milestone on the way to making space-based solar power a reality,” says Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency

“Safe, wireless, 360° energy transmission is a game changer and demonstrates the UK’s leading position in this new energy revolution, quite literally harnessing the power of space to benefit life on Earth.

“The UK Space Agency has been supporting a number of initiatives to get our sector ready to address this market, including the development of in-orbit manufacturing and assembly, large structure deployment, debris mitigation, power beaming from space and mission system studies.”


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