Transitioning to clean energy is imperative and Europe is committed to achieving net zero emissions by the year 2050.
But relying on existing renewable energy sources alone wont do the trick.
Although this might seem like science-fiction, the concept is more achievable than it sounds.
The sun is continuously available, inexhaustible, and sustainable.
Harnessing its power from above the Earth would be more efficient compared to weather-dependent terrestrial solar power solutions.
The question is how do we manage this?
Whats ESAs vision for SBSP?
These will then convert it into electricity and feed it to the grid.
In collaboration with European industry, the program focuses on studies and technological developments.
Thats equivalent to a conventional nuclear power station, something able to power more than one million homes.
What are the technologies being developed?
To find out more, we spoke with two companies participating in the project: Belgium-basedSpace Applications Servicesand Switzerland-basedAstrostrom.
Robotic assembly of hardware
Belgiums Space Applications Services is looking into the in-space assembly of SBSP stations.
As its impossible to launch all parts in one go, in-space assembly is required.
These robots will then grab and position the modules one by one until the station is complete.
Indeed, this development could be done in parallel, Woods noted.
The so-calledGE Lunar Power Station(GE-LPS) requires the development of various technologies, Astrostroms CEO explained.
How would the implementation of SBSP benefit Europe as a whole?
According to ESA, the proposed technological developments have numerous cross-tool benefits and use cases.
Working towards SBSP could also result in high-efficiency solar cells and enhanced photovoltaic and power conversion systems.
Some elements of SBSP are still in the very early stage, and therefore need academic research.
Story byIoanna Lykiardopoulou
Ioanna is a writer at TNW.
With a background in the humanities, she has a soft spot for social impact-enabling technologies.
