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Is it possible to generate energy in space? #space #science #future
TL;DR
Space-based solar power is moving from theory to early commercialization, with new efforts focusing on safer infrared transmission to deliver continuous energy from orbit to Earth.
KEY POINTS
Concept of Space-Based Solar Power
Generating energy in space relies on placing solar panels in orbit, where they receive constant, unfiltered sunlight. Unlike ground-based systems, orbital arrays can operate 24/7 without atmospheric interference or nighttime interruptions, significantly increasing efficiency and output.
Decades-Old Technology Now Revived
The idea of transmitting solar energy from space dates back to the 1970s, when scientists demonstrated that collected energy could be converted into microwaves and beamed to Earth. Recent advances in materials, launch costs, and energy demand have renewed global interest in turning this concept into a viable industry.
China and U.S. Firms in Competition
China has announced plans to develop orbital solar power stations capable of transmitting energy back to Earth. At the same time, several U.S.-based companies are racing to build competing systems, signaling the emergence of a new technological and geopolitical competition in energy infrastructure.
Microwave Transmission Raises Concerns
Traditional designs rely on microwave beams to deliver power, which are highly efficient and can penetrate clouds. However, this approach has raised safety and regulatory concerns, as concentrated microwave beams could potentially interfere with aircraft or be perceived as dual-use technology with weapon-like characteristics.
Infrared “Flashlight” Alternative
Companies such as Overview Energy are developing an alternative approach using infrared (IR) beams instead of microwaves. This method allows energy to be directed onto existing photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on Earth, eliminating the need for entirely new receiving infrastructure.
Trade-Offs in Efficiency and Reliability
Infrared transmission is considered safer and more acceptable from a regulatory standpoint, but it comes with limitations. IR beams are attenuated by water vapor and clouds, meaning energy delivery is most effective in clear-sky regions such as deserts in Arizona or Australia. Microwave systems, by contrast, offer stronger atmospheric penetration.
Targeting Energy-Hungry Data Centers
A key early application is powering AI data centers, which require massive and continuous electricity supplies. Overview Energy has signed an agreement with Meta to supply space-based solar power to its ground-based data centers, aiming to provide consistent, clean energy without the intermittency of terrestrial renewables.
Ground-Based Infrastructure Remains Essential
Despite the orbital generation, energy consumption will remain on Earth. This avoids challenges associated with operating large computing systems in space, such as radiation exposure and heat dissipation, while still benefiting from continuous energy supply.
Logistical and Distribution Challenges
Even with successful energy transmission, infrastructure is needed to distribute power from remote receiving sites—often deserts—to population centers. This adds complexity to grid integration and may require new transmission networks.
CONCLUSION
Space-based solar power is transitioning from speculative concept to early deployment, with infrared transmission emerging as a safer, if less efficient, path toward delivering continuous clean energy from orbit to Earth.
Full transcript
Is it possible to generate energy in space? >> Is there a way is there any thought being put towards harnessing solar power to redirect it back to earth and make it more a universal? >> This is my favorite topic. I think AI data centers has captured a lot of people's attention recently. >> now but I think a problem that really doesn't need solving. >> China already has a plan to do that. >> They do. >> Yeah, it's a big flashlight in the sky. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, well well no it's microwaves to beam down. >> There are a bunch of US-based commercial companies who are now trying to compete and beat China to it. So we've known since the 70s that we could do this with microwaves. Just a little scary to think about. So the way it works is you take the energy from these solar panels in orbit way more efficient cuz you're getting raw unfiltered sunlight. >> And and you can do it 24/7. >> do it 24/7. So you call a mate, you gather this energy up, you convert it into microwaves, not trivial but you can do it, and you beam it down. >> Shoot it down. >> But the problem with that is it's very Austin Powers. >> Yeah, it's you know lasers in space. >> Here's the problem with that. That's called a weapon. >> [laughter] >> Especially as a microwave. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, the plane actually goes off course. >> Oh yeah. >> Zap. So the company that we work with, Overview Energy, is a flashlight from orbit. So they're doing it with IR. The amazing thing about infrared infrared the amazing thing about that is you can shine it on existing PV arrays on photovoltaic cells, solar panels. >> Mhm. >> So you don't have to build new receiving infrastructure. >> photons to collectors here on earth. >> So you get the raw >> Wait, wait, hold on but >> It's still you still can't get through clouds. >> Yes. >> So that's >> So it's not and this is the trade-off. You can have perfect piercing efficiency with microwave or you can do IR. I think it's probably the only way regulatory-wise on the earth to get this approved. But then you do you get attenuated by water vapor. So you have to do it on a clear sky day or you do it to a place in Australia or Arizona or desert. >> Any desert? >> A lot of desert in the >> A lot of we got a lot of desert. >> A lot of desert in the world. >> And then you got the whole logistics of transferring from where you capture >> And interestingly, to connect the two topics, AI data centers and space-based solar power, this company, Overview Energy, that we work with, they just signed a deal with Meta to POWER META'S >> OH GOD! DAMN >> [laughter] >> DATA CENTERS. >> SO SORRY. CHUCK HAS TO blow a gasket once per once per episode. >> O-rings. We're a little sensitive in the space industry about the >> [laughter] >> little gasket, not the O-ring. The Meta deal is going to have space-based solar power power the AI data centers on the ground. So, they're not trying to do it in space, which solves some of those challenges we were talking about earlier, radiation, how do you handle the heat? They're going to have the AI data center on the ground, but use 24/7 >> 24/7 >> clean energy to power it. >> So, they're not microwaves. They're not going to zap anything like the all the satellites and space junk that's just just flying around Earth. >> Yeah, yeah, it's not microwaves.