Roscosmos pitches solar space power plant idea for electricity supply to Earth

With an aim to reduce dependency on tritional sources of energy, Russian Space Agency Roscosmos has proposed idea of a solar power plant located in space. agency, in its statement released on Wednesday, said that scientists of Russian Space Systems Holding (RKS), a part of Roscosmos, have completed work on  solar space power plant (SKES) project which is meant to provide an uninterrupted supply of electricity in Earth's remote areas. According to Roscosmos, this power plant will be able to power facilities on any island or mountain irrespective of wear and time. Besides, any spacecraft in urgent need of recharging can also be powered using this solar power plant.

Here's how solar plant would work

SKES complex, which is being touted as potential replacement of tritional energy sources to some extent, will consist of two segments, as per Roscosmos. One of segments, which would be installed in space spanning ​​70 square metres, will act as a transmitting module. This module will collect solar energy to transmit it to a system of ground-based mobile antennas, serving as receiving module, via laser beams.

Once transmitted, receiving module would convert solar energy into electricity for distribution in different areas. Explaining vantage of using laser beams, Roscosmos said that this technology will help in transferring energy in a few nanoseconds without any loss of energy. Out of 100% power gared, only 5% will be used to power  receiving module, and rest will be transferred to receiving stations on Earth. 

Interestingly, SKES complex is being developed in such a way that it can even serve as an orbital "charging station" to power satellites out in space and can accumulate excess solar energy when required. Calling SKES complex an "excellent alternative", Roscosmos engineer Maria Barkova said,

In outer space, efficiency of using solar energy exceeds dozens of times. It can be converted into a laser beam and transmitted to Earth with minimal energy loss. That is, humanity can draw unlimited energy in space from a renewable source - Sun. This development is an excellent alternative to rmonuclear energy.

Image: Roscosmos