The idea of putting solar panels in space and beaming the energy to Earth was originally proposed in 1968.
The concept, envisaged by American aerospace engineer Peter Glaser, proved technologically and economically impossible.
Now, space-based solar power is being actively pursued by China, India, Japan, Russia, the US and the UK, and according to a study by King’s College London, has the potential to play a game-changing role in the drive to net zero.
Space-based solar panels could enable power to be harvested continuously instead of only when sunlight reaches Earth, a study published in Joule found. Researchers suggested it could reduce Europe’s need for Earth-based wind and solar by 80 per cent and could cut the cost of the continent’s total energy grid system by seven per cent to 15 per cent – an equivalent saving of about €36 billion ($42 billion) a year.
However, that hinges on the rapid development of two Nasa-designed technologies.
“In space, you potentially have the ability to position solar panels to always face the sun, which means power generation can be nearly continuous compared to the daily pattern on Earth,” said senior author and engineer Prof Wei He of King’s College London. “And, because it’s in space, the solar radiation is higher than on the Earth's surface.
“We're currently at a stage to transfer this blue-sky idea into testing at a large scale, and to begin discussing regulation and policymaking.
“Reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 is going to require a significant shift to renewable energy, and this emerging technology could play a pivotal role in that transition.”
Solar energy gathered in space is less likely to be affected by cloud cover and is safe from natural disasters such as flooding and earthquakes, which infrastructure on Earth is vulnerable to.
The panels would work much like communications satellites – orbiting Earth, rotating to optimally catch the sun’s rays, then beaming the energy to receiving stations in the form of microwaves, which could then be converted to electricity and fed into the existing grid infrastructure.
Prof He’s team estimated the annual costs and energy-harvesting potential for two space-based solar power designs from Nasa – the Innovative Heliostat Swarm and the Mature Planar Array.
The heliostat design is in the early stages of development but has higher potential to continuously capture solar energy, whereas the simpler planar array is closer to being technologically ready. However, the latter can only capture solar energy about 60 per cent of the time, but this still a big increase from the 15-30 per cent efficiency of standard Earth-based solar panels.
Prof He told The National the success of the two projects comes down to how quickly they can reduce the cost of producing energy while improving performance, which is “highly uncertain”.
However, he said he was “optimistic” it could be achieved “with a disciplined plan and clear check points” so improvements could be measured.
He said there were three strands which had moved the idea from a “thought experiment” in the 1960s to a testable path: rising PV performance (converting sunlight into electricity) and radiation-tolerant technologies; real wireless-power demonstrations – including Caltech’s recent low-power orbit-to-Earth beaming test; and costs being driven by industry through reusable launches and high-volume satellite manufacturing.
His team estimated the heliostat design was capable of offsetting 80 per cent of wind and solar, but to be cost-effective, its annual costs would need to decrease dramatically.
“We recommend a co-ordinated development strategy that combines and leverages both technologies to achieve better performance,” said Prof He.
“By first focusing on the more mature planar design, we can demonstrate and refine space-based solar power technologies while concurrently accelerating [research and development] for designs with more continuous power generation.”
The researchers note that many technological breakthroughs are needed before space-based solar power can be implemented.
Who was Peter Glasner?
- Dr Peter Glaser was a Czech-born space tech pioneer who moved to the United States in 1948 where he studied mechanical engineering at Columbia.
- He is best known as the inventor of the Solar Power Satellite, a concept which he presented in the journal Science in 1968 under the title Power from the Sun: Its Future.
- Five years later, he was granted a US patent to supply power from space, however the satellite system was considered too large to launch economically from Earth.
- It was suggested it could be constructed in space, using lunar and asteroid materials, but it was never put into practice.
- Dr Glaser was project manager for the Apollo 11 Laser Ranging Retroflecter Array, which was installed on the moon in 1969.
- He served on several Nasa committees and was inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame in 1996.
- He died in 2014, aged 87.
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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