The history of humanity is full of monumental projects: the Great Pyramid of Giza, the International Space Station, and others. Another was to be seen by our generation: space-based solar power. However, the present technology has postponed this dream, perhaps to the next century.
The concept is straightforward but revolutionary: gather solar power in space and transmit it to the planet as microwaves. Unlike traditional renewables, it wouldn’t rely on weather, daylight, or vast land. Panels in space have the potential to produce 13 times more energy, have little transmission loss, and provide constant power to the entire world.
This solution would solve some of the issues with traditional renewables, such as the mineral intensity, supply chain vulnerability, low production, and expensive storage. Imperial College London estimates that 8 gigawatts of space-based solar would save the UK more than 4 billion pounds per year.
Nevertheless, NASA is still reluctant. According to a recent NASA report, the key challenges include autonomous space operation, efficient energy beaming, cost-effective construction in space, longer system lifetimes, and high launch costs. There are additional complications of operating in geostationary orbit.
According to former NASA physicist John Mankins, who came up with the SPS Alpha concept, NASA is not keen on diverting resources because it is an exploration agency rather than an energy agency. Funding of its core missions could also be at risk of legislative direction.
Nevertheless, some improvement is being achieved. Individual innovators and scientists are also moving ahead with the hope that one day the Earth will be energized by space. The largest project in history is not going to be launched tomorrow, but its future is not dead yet; it is just a bit more distant.
