The Minister suggests that utilizing technology to gather and transmit energy to Earth could enhance the UK’s energy security
UK government funding of £4.3m will be allocated to UK universities and tech companies for the development of space-based solar power. This technology, involving the collection of solar energy through satellite-mounted panels and transmitting it to Earth, has significant potential to enhance the country’s energy security, according to Grant Shapps, the UK’s energy security secretary. While the concept of constructing commercial power stations in space may seem improbable, the space industry has long been at the forefront of solar power advancements. Dr. Mamatha Maheshwarappa, the payload systems lead at the UK Space Agency, noted that the necessity to power satellites has been instrumental in driving the improvement of solar panels’ efficiency for residential and commercial electricity generation.
In the government’s space-based solar power innovation competition, Cambridge University and Queen Mary University of London are among the recipients of funding. Cambridge University is working on the development of ultra-lightweight solar panels capable of enduring the intense radiation levels present in space. Meanwhile, Queen Mary University of London is focused on creating a wireless system that enables the secure transmission of solar power harvested from space to Earth. Notably, scientists at the California Institute of Technology in the United States recently announced a milestone achievement. They successfully beamed solar power to Earth from space using a prototype spacecraft called Maple, which was launched into orbit in January.
In the event that the technology can be successfully implemented on a large scale, space-based solar farms would offer significant advantages. Due to the absence of an atmosphere in space, the sunlight received is unfiltered, resulting in each panel being capable of generating more energy compared to an equivalent panel on Earth. Moreover, the solar energy derived would exhibit greater predictability and continuity due to the absence of day-night cycles, cloud cover, and seasonal variations in sunlight.
A 2021 independent study commissioned by the UK government revealed that space-based solar power has the potential to generate up to 10GW of electricity annually by 2050, which amounts to a quarter of the UK’s power requirements. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero predicts that this technology could foster a multibillion-pound industry, creating up to 143,000 job opportunities across the country.
During the announcement of the funding at London Tech Week, Grant Shapps expressed, “We’re taking a significant stride by supporting the development of this groundbreaking technology and positioning the UK as a leader in this rapidly emerging industry as it approaches fruition. By winning this new space race, we can revolutionize our nation’s power generation, providing cheaper, cleaner, and more secure energy for future generations.
Additional projects that will receive funding include: Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd in Didcot, which aims to conduct an experiment to assess the electronic steering and beam quality of its space satellite antenna technology. MicroLink Devices UK Ltd in Port Talbot will focus on developing the next generation of lightweight and flexible solar panels. The University of Bristol has been granted funding to create a simulation of solar space wireless power transfer capability, providing further evidence on the performance, safety, and reliability of space-based solar.
Furthermore, Imperial College London and EDF Energy will also receive funding to conduct studies that evaluate the integration of electricity from space-based power stations into the electricity grid, in conjunction with other low-carbon energy sources.
