UK Government looking to the stars for space based solar power stations

Science fiction?

We covered some of the ways scientists and governments may look too to solve their energy needs in our article titled: Renewable Energy Ideas that might work  and one of the methods listed was space based energy collection. The idea was first proposed way back in 1941 by the science fiction author Isaac Asimov and it’s one that is being looked into by several nations.

What was once solely in the realm of science fiction could soon become a reality with the advent of private companies such as SpaceX slashing the cost of rocket launches and improving reusability.

The research will look into how much such a plan would cost, the technology needed and whether it will indeed deliver affordable clean energy for consumers.

The plans would see giant satellites built in the Earth’s orbit; a feat that has never been done before. These satellites would then collect the energy from the sun, convert it into high-frequency radio waves and then beam the energy back to Earth.

“The Sun never sets in space, so a space solar power system could supply renewable energy to anywhere on the planet, day or night, rain or shine. It is an idea that has existed for decades but has always felt decades away. The UK is growing its status as a global player in space and we have bold plans to launch small satellites in the coming years. Space solar could be another string to our bow, and this study will help establish whether it is right for the UK,” said Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency Dr Graham Turnock.

Growing support for solar

Support for new sources of solar technology has been growing with a new report released by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy’s (BEIS) showing that 85% of the population are in favour.

Overall support for renewable energy generation was also shown to have increased with 80% of those surveyed now saying they support it.

Wave and tidal energy have 79% support, offshore wind (77%) and onshore wind (73%), with the latter being a slight increase from the 69% in favour of the technology in March’s survey.

Also read: UK energy mix – the different sources of generation 

Global potential

According to the plans creators the space-based system could provide cheap energy to anywhere on the planet all year-round including areas that typically have less solar potential.

Science minister Amanda Solloway said: "A space-based solar power system could provide energy to everyone, even in places that don't receive sunlight all-year round, like northern Europe and Russia.

"Space solar stations may sound like a piece of science fiction, but they could generate an entirely new source of energy for the UK, while helping us slash our emissions and smash our climate change targets."

The research will see the energy, aerospace and space sectors working together to discover whether the plans are viable and possible. A panel of experts will be formed of leading space experts and will listen to industry views on how to support the plans.

With the UK government throwing billions of pounds at green energy projects it has vowed to put ‘new money and attention’ into ‘radical ideas to reduce global warming’. 

Further Reading

More Green Energy Proposals from Ofgem as it seeks to ‘transform’ local electricity networks

Ofgem to increase monitoring of Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (Rego) certificates following investigation

Is ‘Green Energy’ really good for the environment?

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