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Generating Energy from Space
One of the most talked about possible alternative energy sources nowadays is space itself.
Generating Energy from Space
One of the most talked about possible alternative energy sources nowadays is space itself. Scientists have come up with the idea to source energy from space, and the idea was met by mixed reactions. The plausibility of this idea has not faced the true test yet, but a collaboration between San Francisco’s PG&E or Pacific Gas & Electric Company and Manhattan’s Solaren is about to put it to the test.
What they’re planning to do is to send solar collectors to space via multiple rocket launches. The solar collectors will then beam solar energy back to earth at a hopeful estimate of around 200 megawatts of energy in the form of radio waves. Solaren will be dealing with solar collection, and Pacific Gas & Electric Company will buy the power and convert it to usable form. According to Solaren representatives, the plan has much potential and the technology may be available by the year 2016. Based on initial estimates, Solaren plans to use solar energy from space to provide electricity for around 150,000 households in California.
The new plan is not exactly new, though; an American scientist already made the suggestion back in 1968, but so far, only Solaren and PG&E are taking the promises of solar energy from space seriously.
Sourcing solar energy from space promises certain benefits. First, solar energy from space is completely renewable. Also, it will be available 24 hours every single day since the sunlight in space will not be limited by the earth’s motion and the moon’s position. And since space is not vulnerable to carbon emissions unlike the earth’s atmosphere, the solar energy will be completely clean. The new technology will also mostly be based on mature communications satellite technology, which is founded on the technology that the world has used to collect solar energy in Earth’s orbit for more than 45 years now. This means the basic technology is quite manageable.
The plan seems promising, but expectedly, there are certain disadvantages, and on top of all possible hindrances, the cost is probably the most challenging to overcome. The cost of sending large-scale hardware to space will already be too much of a challenge.
Despite this, PG&E, Solaren, and several supporters are urging the new technology on. After all, the concept of sourcing solar energy from space is quite possibly the answer that the world is looking for. The costs may be high, but the electricity will become more affordable as time goes by, making the technology a sound investment. And as the world’s energy resources become more and more fragile, it is high time to look further. For now, it seems, the plan of generating solar power from space is worth believing in.
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