China tests space solar power tower
Xidian University built a 75 m high tower, equipped with antennas and other equipment to serve the research of solar power in space.
Xidian University built a 75 m high system for the research and exploitation of space solar power.
A team of scientists at Xidian University, Xi'an, China, successfully tested an underground system for research and exploitation of space solar power on June 5.
The universe possesses many advantages in producing solar power such as not being covered by clouds, no seasonal changes, and not entangled in the atmosphere. Solar panels can operate at maximum efficiency day and night. According to some estimates, placing solar cells in space can generate 6-8 times more energy than underground.
However, transmitting electricity to Earth is not simple. The satellite's geosynchronous orbit is located at an altitude of about 36,000 km, nearly three times the diameter of the Earth. The transmission lines plus the expensive costs of satellite launches make efficient space solar power generation a challenge.
However, the world is in dire need of clean energy and the cost of launching satellites is also falling thanks to the advent of reusable rockets and alternative methods of rocket launch. Therefore, research on space solar energy continues, focusing on improving the efficiency of wireless power transmission.
The system on the campus of Xidian University consists of a 75 m high steel tower and 5 subsystems: omega concentration, light-electricity conversion, power transmission, power management and receiving antenna. The top of the tower hangs the dishes that act as replacement satellites, helping to focus sunlight, convert it into energy, and transmit it to the ground for a collection antenna.
Construction of the tower began in 2018 under the guidance of Duan Baoyan, an expert at the School of Electromechanical Engineering of Xidian University. According to Xidian University, the system was approved by a panel of experts after demonstrating the ability to transmit electricity by microwaves over a distance of 55 meters.
This is the first system in the world that has all the functions of cosmic solar energy, including tracking the Sun, focusing light, converting light into electricity, transmitting electricity in the form of microwaves and then collecting electricity. received by a separate antenna. The system is developing 3 years ahead of schedule.
