Could Space-Based Solar Power Be The Thing We Need?

With climate change concerns very real, there's a growing desire to utilize more renewable energy sources. The hope is that things like wind and solar energy could continue to power the planet and change things for the better. However, are they reliable enough in their current form to save the day?

Some believe the answer is no, but argue that things could be different if we looked to outer space to source our energy. In particular, they believe that having power stations orbiting the Earth and sourcing solar energy that way could make all the difference. Could space-based solar power be the thing we need?

Space-based solar power might be essential with current predictions

Space-based solar power might sound like the stuff of science fiction, but it may not be as fantastical as it seems. Plenty of space agencies across the globe have reportedly conducted studies in recent years that focus on its potential. While they seemingly share the understanding that orbiting power plants would be a challenge, they also believe they're a necessity. This is thanks to the continuing concern around climate change. According to the United Nations, the planet is at risk of warming by 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit come 2100. While this might not seem like much, it's nearly two degrees higher than the international climate science community's threshold. Apparently, exceeding this threshold puts the Earth at risk of disastrous consequences. 

Reliable alternatives are needed soon to avoid disastrous climate consequences

Of course, 2100 is still a long way off, and humanity isn't doomed just yet. However, to avoid hitting that threshold, significant changes need to be made quickly. Greenhouse gas emissions need to drop by almost half within less than a decade. If countries are going to eliminate fossil fuels, though, there need to be viable alternatives to take their place. While things like solar and wind power exist to help with this, they're not necessarily reliable or strong enough to meet the demand. However, that could change with space-based solar power plants, which would have 24/7 access to sunshine without interference. Could these really save the day, or is there a reason they sound too good to be true?

A space-based solar power plant would have to be incredibly large to be beneficial

If space-based solar power plants were to exist, experts would have to overcome several obstacles to utilize them. For one, these power plants would need to be bigger than anything that's ever been sent into space before. Understandably, that's a cause for concern, as this comes with the risk that it might not stay in space forever. The last thing anyone wants is for one of these to come crashing back to Earth. The reason for the size relates to the need to transmit enough energy back to Earth to make the power plant worthwhile. If it were smaller, it would have to be lower in Earth's orbit, increasing the risk of attack from anti-satellite missiles. Unfortunately, building something large enough to do the job would require highly-advanced robotics systems. It would also need hundreds of rocket launches, which could end up polluting the planet further.

There's a risk they could be inefficient and endanger people's lives

Another concern is that the energy would have to be transmitted as microwaves. Currently, the conversion of electricity into microwaves and back again isn't yet that efficient. Efficiency would need to be at least 20% to be worthwhile, but Airbus recently conducted a small-scale demonstration of this and discovered it was only 5%. Another problem includes the potential for space-based solar power plants to be turned into weapons of mass destruction. It's possible that the microwave beams could be manipulated to fry people on Earth using invisible radiation. It would all depend on how the power plants are designed before being sent into space. Unfortunately, if they're to be truly effective, they'll likely have to be created with more potential for danger.

Space-based solar power plants do have a fair amount of pros, too

There's plenty to be concerned about with space-based solar power plants, including light pollution and the risk of damage by micrometeorites. However, amongst all the cons, there are plenty of pros, too. Apparently, understanding of these power plants has been around for decades now, so the experts know what's required to make them a success. Plus, there's the ability for them to beam energy from anywhere in the world. On top of this, space-based solar power plants could apparently provide 13 times more energy than equivalent plants already on Earth. Their electricity would supposedly be cleaner too, with access available 24/7. So, there is still a fair amount to love about this sci-fi solution.

Are space-based solar power plants the energy source of the future? Potentially, although there are clearly still plenty of cons that need to be addressed. Experts will have to be quick about dealing with them if the plants are going to prevent a climate disaster.