Japan, in collaboration with its space administration JAXA, has long been at the forefront of efforts to make space-based solar energy a reality. After a breakthrough achievement in 2015, when JAXA scientists successfully beamed 1.8 kilowatts of power over a distance of more than 50 meters, the country is now poised to take this groundbreaking technology one step further.
According to a report by Nikkei, a Japanese public-private partnership is set to embark on an ambitious project to beam solar energy from space as early as 2025. Leading this endeavor is Naoki Shinohara, a Kyoto University professor with a decade-long involvement in space-based solar energy research.
The project will entail deploying a series of small satellites into orbit, which will then attempt to transmit the collected solar energy to ground-based receiving stations situated hundreds of miles away. This significant undertaking aims to bring to fruition the concept first proposed in 1968: the utilization of orbital solar panels and microwave technology to transfer energy to Earth.
Although several countries, including China and the United States, have invested considerable time and resources into exploring this concept, Japan’s initiative holds great promise. Orbital solar arrays offer the advantage of an essentially unlimited supply of renewable energy. In space, solar panels can harvest energy irrespective of the time of day, while the use of microwaves to transmit power eliminates concerns associated with cloud cover.
However, even if Japan achieves its goal of deploying a set of orbital solar arrays, the technology remains more akin to science fiction than fact. The production of an array capable of generating 1 gigawatt of power, equivalent to the output of a nuclear reactor, would presently require an estimated $7 billion investment utilizing existing technologies.
Despite the daunting challenges ahead, Japan’s commitment to advancing space-based solar energy demonstrates the country’s determination to explore innovative solutions for meeting its growing energy demands in a sustainable manner. Success in this endeavor could revolutionize the global energy landscape, providing a potential solution to the world’s quest for clean and renewable power sources.
As the Japanese public-private partnership progresses towards its ambitious target, the world will watch with great anticipation, eager to witness the transformative impact that space-based solar energy could have on our planet’s future.
