At a lecture held in October, Long Lehao, a renowned rocket scientist and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, unveiled China's plan to construct a massive space-based solar power station. "This is an incredible project to look forward to," he stated, according to IFLScience. The proposed station aims to revolutionize global energy supply by harnessing the sun's energy from space and transmitting it back to Earth.
Described as a "Space Three Gorges Dam," the project is likened to relocating one of China's most monumental infrastructures. "It would be as significant as moving the Three Gorges Dam into geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above the Earth," Long said, as reported by Focus Online. The Three Gorges Dam, located on the Yangtze River in Central China, is the world's largest hydroelectric power project, generating 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
The envisioned space-based solar power station would cover an area of about one square kilometer and continuously beam energy to Earth via microwaves. According to Live Science, the energy collected in one year could be equivalent to all the oil that can be extracted from Earth. This comparison highlights the project's potential to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.
Building such a colossal structure presents numerous technical challenges. Many proposals for space-based solar power stations have not reached fruition due to hurdles like cost, durability in space, energy transmission efficiency, and construction logistics. As Digi24 reports, engineers are developing materials capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of space and robotics for assembly.
To launch the components of the station into orbit, China plans to utilize the reusable Long March-9 (CZ-9) rocket, boasting a lifting capacity of at least 150 tons. This rocket is crucial not only for delivering satellites but also for China's lunar ambitions, including plans to build an international lunar research base by 2035, as noted by Origo.
The concept behind space-based solar power involves collecting solar energy where sunlight is abundant and uninterrupted by the Earth's atmosphere or weather conditions. GEO France highlights that ground-based solar energy faces limitations, such as interruptions from clouds and atmospheric absorption of solar radiation. In space, solar energy is estimated to be ten times stronger than on Earth’s surface.
Once operational, China's space solar power station could generate more energy than equivalent ground-based systems. Orbiting solar arrays capture sunlight 24/7, providing continuous energy collection and higher efficiency. The collected energy would be transmitted back to Earth through high-frequency microwaves or laser beams, with ground-based receivers converting it into usable electricity.
The project's implications extend beyond national borders. The success of China's space solar project could redefine how the world approaches energy generation, positioning China as a pioneer in the next frontier of energy technology. The endeavor could address growing energy demands and offer a solution to global climate challenges.
Other nations are also exploring space-based solar power. The European Space Agency, the US, the UK, and Japan's JAXA are investigating solar satellite array technology. Live Science notes that some organizations, including JAXA, intend to launch small demonstrative satellites to assess the feasibility of this technology.
Ensuring safety and efficiency in transmitting energy from space remains a priority. Microgrid Media reports that this involves technologies like microwave beaming and laser systems. Small-scale experimental trials are planned over the next decade to test these systems and refine the underlying technologies.
By 2030, China aims to deploy the first functional prototype of its space solar power station to test energy transmission systems and structural resilience, according to Microgrid Media. The long-term goal is full-scale deployment by 2040, capable of supplying energy to Earth.
Space-based solar power systems offer unique advantages over terrestrial solar farms. They avoid the vast land requirements, leaving more room for agriculture and natural ecosystems. Additionally, they could provide remote and underserved areas with access to affordable and clean electricity, enhancing energy equity.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.