In recent years, the debate rages on in geologists and specialists in energy resources. Will we run out of petroleum? The subject divides and is far from unanimous, but one thing is clear: the reserves of fossil energy have taken millions of years to create, reduce visibly as global demand continues to increase.
For example, the European Union represents 16% of global energy. It imports half of its energy needs in the region making it the largest importer in the world. A question arises: how to deal the increasing demand from emerging countries like China and India in addition to developed countries?
Well engineers Astrium, EADS Space subsidiary have revealed a old project of good thirty years and brought responses to technological failures of the past: collect solar energy directly into the space and feeding on Earth via an infrared beam. A crazy project? Not that much.
Solar station in orbit
By 2020, scientists from the company Astrium counted well launch their first prototype satellite in space. Equipped giant photovoltaic panels it will capture the sun's rays, the concentrate then will deliver to Earth by an infrared laser that goes directly to the sensors. They then convert solar energy into electricity to power our network.
The prototype currently under development will acknowledge a power of 20 to 50 KW. Ultimately, the goal of engineering is to build outright space stations collector of solar energy. In geostationary orbit to 35,000 km altitude, solar panels 50 feet of long will provide energy 24h/24. These orbital complex could reach a power of several gigawatts, equivalent to several nuclear power plants
.An inexhaustible reserve without danger
Sun not likely to turn off within a few million years, which makes it an excellent energy source for Earthlings. A question still deserves to be asked: energy transmission via an infrared laser is not it dangerous to health? The beam has a wavelength of 1, 5 micron placing it in the invisible, without damage to man especially his eyes.
The Japanese were already on the spot of a similar project, which cost a whopping $ 21 million. The only difference: solar energy will be conveyed to the ground by microwave and not infrared.
This energy collection system does not tend to replace fossil energy but is designed to complement renewable energy to meet the energy bulimia hosts this planet, namely us!
