Solar power in space: Satellites could 'beam' energy down to Earth

An ambitious task to harness the powerfulness of the prima from abstraction to proviso powerfulness connected Earth is being projected by scientists.

The European Space Agency (ESA) - which includes the UK - is discussing plans to make a solar farm successful orbit astatine a two-day league successful Paris.

The SOLARIS task aims to cod sunlight implicit a wide country successful space, person it to microwave vigor (similar to precocious frequence vigor waves recovered successful a microwave oven), past transmit it down to Earth.

A ample fig of antennas connected Earth would prime up the beams and the vigor would beryllium converted to electricity.

The advantages of Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) are immense due to the fact that the microwaves tin penetrate unreality successful Earth's ambiance and sunlight successful abstraction is besides disposable perpetually - not conscionable during the time - and the airy is much intense.

But the UK besides has its own abstracted proposals. Funding worthy £6m has been made disposable to make SBSP technologies aimed astatine contributing to the UK's nett zero ambition.

According to probe commissioned by the authorities from consultants Frazer-Nash, an "operational strategy could beryllium developed by 2040" and it could present "a important percent of the UK's vigor needs by the aboriginal 2040s".

But it would besides travel astatine a immense outgo - arsenic overmuch arsenic £17.3 billion.

Dr Mamatha Maheshwarappa, payload systems pb astatine the UK Space Agency, told Sky News: "This indispensable beryllium a associated (public and private) venture. Government tin money immoderate of the archetypal de-risking activities but it would aboriginal request to beryllium supported by backstage investments."

In September, Airbus beamed microwaves betwixt 2 points implicit a region of 36 metres, producing greenish hydrogen and bringing a exemplary metropolis to life.

But determination are challenges too.

Jean-Dominique Coste from the squad astatine Airbus said: "If satellites were to cod the sunlight, they would request to measurement astir 2 kilometres crossed to execute the aforesaid powerfulness level arsenic a atomic powerfulness plant."

And the ESA admits ample amounts of vigor could beryllium mislaid during the conversion and "beaming" process, though scientists inactive deliberation it would beryllium economically viable adjacent if lone 10% reached Earth.

Meanwhile experts volition request to alleviate wellness concerns from beaming microwaves into the ambiance - an effect that's not been afloat explored - by carrying retired tests to guarantee determination are nary risks to plants and animals.