One study found that solar collectors in space could reduce Europe’s needs to renewable energy by 80% by 2050, the Guardian notes.

Using a detailed computational model of the future electricity grid in Epirus, the researchers found that a NASA space collectors system could reduce the cost of the entire European electric system by 15%. It could also reduce the use of batteries by more than two -thirds.

The study, conducted by researchers at King’s College London, is the first to evaluate the possible impact of space solar energy on Europe. The space solar panels (SBSP) that gave the positive results use a sunny design. The design, which the system mimics, uses mirrors -like reflectors to collect sunlight. The sunlight is then transmitted to stations on Earth and converted into electricity before it is delivered to an energy grid.

The computing model of the Epirus electricity grid covers 33 countries and simulates the demand, production and storage of electricity in order to identify the most economical option to meet Europe’s needs in electricity.

When the researchers incorporated the idea of ​​SBSP into the model based on NASA’s forecasts for its possible energy capacity, the results showed that it could replace up to 80% of Europe’s land renewable energy.

Researchers point out that the renewable energy produced by land sources is irregular and depends on the weather, which complicates reliable benefit, and its cost varies. SBSPs could be an alternative central source of energy that operates above the atmosphere with constant power of gigavat order.

The authors note that modeling does not take into account the possible effects of space -related challenges, such as congestion of traits, transmission vacations or volatility of radiation, which could affect the reliability and functional performance of SBSP.

Nor could SBSP’s possible cost -effective efficiency be realized by 2050, because its construction, launch and maintenance would be overly expensive unless technological progress reduces its costs.

Dr. Wei He, a senior lecturer in the KCL engineering department and the main author of the study, published in Joule, said: “There are some dangers to be taken into account, such as the possibility that the satellite in space has too many solar panels. Could cause conflicts or suffer damage from space debris? “

Despite these dangers, Wei believes that research shows that SBSP has the ability to help countries achieve the goal of zero emission balance. “The renewable energy that replaces fossil fuels is the most important action we take as humans. Space solar energy is a technology with capabilities and can provide continuous solar energy as a renewable source of energy, “he said.