EDF UK R&D is on a mission to explore Space-based solar power following success in the UK government’s innovation competition to develop the cutting-edge technology.
With a history of delivering research and ground-breaking innovations to help the UK achieve Net Zero, EDF UK R&D will be using their expertise in solar to improve knowledge of the value of introducing space-based solar power into the UK’s grid.
The team will be looking at whether there are any synergies between space-based solar power and other low carbon technologies and addressing questions around the impact of space weather and how it would integrate into the electricity system.
Space-based solar power involves deploying vast arrays of solar panels in space, where they are continuously exposed to sunlight without any atmospheric interference or night-time limitations. The captured solar energy is then converted into high-frequency microwaves or lasers, which are beamed to earth and converted to electricity. The promise of Space-based solar power is low carbon, flexible and reliable power.
David Ferguson, Head of Net Zero at EDF UK R&D, said: “The world will not achieve net zero without innovation so R&D is incredibly important in exploring new technologies such as space-based solar power. It’s potential is out of this world but there are a number of key questions to be explored so we’re excited to be part of the UK government’s innovation programme that will hopefully lead to the UK one day launching its own mission to launch a solar satellite into space.”
EDF Group is already a leader in developing and building solar, with EDF Renewables UK and Ireland bringing six solar farms online within 2023. EDF UK R&D, who provides research and innovations to EDF Renewables and the wider EDF Group, is therefore well placed to improve the understanding of the final frontier of renewable energy – space solar.
For more information contact Peter Hess, External Affairs Manager for England for EDF Renewables UK: peter.hess@edf-re.uk.
