The idea of parking solar panels in orbit and letting them rain energy down upon Earth has been explored both in science fiction and in research laboratories for decades. Kyoto University announced this week that it took the first step in actually creating such a satellite, in its billion-yen test facility at Uji Campus.
While there are many stages in testing, only the final stage would involve the satellite. Solar panels well over 30 feet in diameter would open on the satellite once it reaches orbit, and transmit the energy harvested to Earth via microwave. If all goes according to plan, the satellite will be launched in 5-10 years. This year, the university is preparing for their initial tests – on the ground.
The microwave energy transmission facility for the first stage of the experiment completed at the university’s Uji Campus (in Uji City, of course) is currently open to the public. According to the university, the main facility has a high power/durability absorber, an electromagnetic wave dark room, measurement equipment, etc. They plan to conduct the world’s largest microwave energy transmission experiment in this facility.
During the experiment, microwaves of the same intensity that the satellite is expected to generate will be sent to a receiver antenna in the main facility. The microwaves will then be converted into usable electricity. The level of conversion efficiency is key to the experiment.
Regardless of the viability of a giant orbiting solar array (although it sounds awesome), wireless power transmission is a great idea with a lot of uses right here on Earth. Good luck, Kyoto University!
Source: Kankyo Business
Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica, want to advertise, or want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
Former Tesla Battery Expert Leading Lyten Into New Lithium-Sulfur Battery Era — Podcast:
I don't like paywalls. You don't like paywalls. Who likes paywalls? Here at CleanTechnica, we implemented a limited paywall for a while, but it always felt wrong — and it was always tough to decide what we should put behind there. In theory, your most exclusive and best content goes behind a paywall. But then fewer people read it! We just don't like paywalls, and so we've decided to ditch ours. Unfortunately, the media business is still a tough, cut-throat business with tiny margins. It's a never-ending Olympic challenge to stay above water or even perhaps — gasp — grow. So ...
