Space sector giant Astrium has developed technologies for collecting solar energy in space and beaming it back to Earth, where it could be converted into electricity.
The system, which it is thought could be demonstrated in a five to 10 years' time, would deploy large satellites to capture energy from the sun and redirect it to the planet’s surface using mirrors and laser beams.
Matthew Perren, Astrium innovation manager, said the technology had been developed as part of a drive to find solutions to global warming. “The system would take energy from solar flux through the satellite’s solar arrays and convert it into infrared energy. This would be beamed by laser back to earth and captured by highly efficient receivers on the ground.” These receivers would use efficient, very narrow band photovoltaics tuned precisely to the wavelength of the laser to create electricity, Perren explained. Initial versions of the technology would be likely to have a power of 5-10 kW.
The advantage of the system, Perren said, is that it would supply energy on demand without the interference of weather patterns or night falling. “It’s a concept at the moment but we believe this is entirely possible.” He added that the technology could complement wind and wave power on the ground. “We are not saying this is a single solution to our energy needs – but it will fit alongside renewables.”
Work still needs to be carried out on the high-powered laser and the photovoltaic cells, but Astrium is partnering with the University of Surrey to develop these systems. Other parts, such as the satellite platform, mirrors and solar arrays are well-established. “We have most of the pieces of the puzzle,” Perren said.
Astrium is looking at markets for the system. “The question for us is if there is really the political will to support this kind of solution.”
© PE Publishing, 22 January 2010
