Researchers from the Xidian University are working on technology that could transform energy generation and distribution: a space solar plant capable of transmitting electricity from a geostationary orbit over 36,000 kilometers away.
The experimental system, called Zhuri or “chasing the sun,” managed to transmit energy in the form of microwaves to a receiver located 100 meters away, demonstrating the viability of the key components of this innovative approach.
How the system works
The experimental facility includes:
- 4.8-meter parabolic mirror suspended from a 75-meter tower.
- Photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight into electricity.
- Conversion to microwaves and wireless transmission.
- Receiving rectenna that transforms microwaves into usable electrical energy.
In recent tests, the system achieved kilowatt-level transmission and demonstrated the ability to direct energy to several mobile targets simultaneously.
Technical innovations
The team led by Associate Professor Fan Guanheng experiments with:
- Fresnel lenses ranging from 2 to 7 meters to focus light more efficiently.
- Cooling fluids to control temperature.
- Independent modules in orbital formation, instead of a single structure, which provides greater resilience and facilitates maintenance.
The complete process includes three stages: light concentration, conversion to microwaves, and energy rectification.
Advantages of space solar energy
- High energy density: up to six times greater than on the Earth’s surface.
- Continuous availability: not dependent on the day-night cycle or weather conditions.
- Independence from the atmosphere: avoids losses due to absorption or dispersion.
“That’s why space solar energy is a possible solution to the energy crisis on Earth,” Fan told the South China Morning Post.
Inspiration and future applications
The project is directed by Duan Baoyan, an electromechanical engineer and former president of Xidian University, inspired by NASA’s SPS-ALPHA concept. Duan envisions stations capable of supplying energy to entire cities: a one-gigawatt plant could power a medium-sized city.
Short-term applications include:
- Wireless charging of satellites in orbit.
- Energy supply to lunar bases, from orbit or the Moon’s surface.
Pending technical challenges
- Feasibility of foldable or self-assembling structures in space.
- Precision in the orientation of microwave beams.
- Safety for aircraft and the natural environment.
The next step will be to secure funding to conduct experiments in orbit, which would allow the technology to be validated under real conditions.
The Zhuri space solar plant represents a milestone in global energy research. If it overcomes technical challenges, it could provide clean, continuous, and highly efficient energy, transforming the electricity supply and offering an innovative solution to the global energy crisis.
