What if the energy of the future was up there, in infinite space, where the sun never sets? Where solar panels can capture every single ray, without interruptions, without clouds as a screen? Europe sees this opportunity as a tangible solution. The Solaris project could be the key to unlocking an energy future that we have only dreamed of until now.
The dawn of Solaris
The energy future is a monumental challenge: how can we ensure clean and sustainable energy for all? The answer may lie just off the planet.
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between the French Thales (67%) and Italian Leonardo (33%), received the assignment fromEuropean Space Agency to explore the possibility of generating energy in space and transferring it to Earth. As you know, it is not an idea born in Europe (we talked about it , here e , here), but with the Solaris project just a year after conception (we said it that ESA he was serious) is taking shape in ways we may never have imagined.
Space energy: a sustainable solution?
The idea of producing energy in space and sending it to Earth has solid logic behind it. Solar panels in orbit can operate with continuity impossible on Earth. Without the interference of the atmosphere or the variability of weather conditions, they are able to capture solar energy much more efficiently.
Of course it's not all rosy, there are technical challenges to overcome. Two of all: how does energy transfer from the vastness of space to the Earth? And how do you build and maintain such an infrastructure in space?
A step at a time
The Solaris project (here the details) isn't trying to solve all these problems at once. He has an approach that I would define as rather pragmatic. The initial goal is to put a demonstrator into orbit, assembled by robots, that can send energy to Earth via a wireless system. The demonstrator will serve as a proof of concept, showing the degree of practicability.
After the feasibility study scheduled for 2025, Europe will have to decide whether to invest in Solaris and in the commercialization of energy produced in space. If the analysis and investment is successful we could see a network of space-based solar panels powering our homes, our cities and perhaps even our vehicles.
In summary: even in the skies of the Old Continent we are starting to glimpse the promise of a brighter energy future. With projects like Solaris, Europe shows that with innovation and determination we can overcome the greatest challenges and create a sustainable future for all.
