I promised to address new modes of transportation or energy supply for cost-effective yet sustainable transportation that has less human and environmental losses. I prefer that before dealing with these issues, we take a look at the new methods of energy production and the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing these methods and accelerating their implementation. We know that the transportation industry is highly dependent on fossil fuels; Even those cars that are electric and boast that they don't pollute the environment, still use electrical energy that is obtained from the burning of fossil fuels in power plants in important parts of the world. It seemed to me that before discussing the topic of new methods of transportation, we should take a look at the topic of new methods of providing clean and sustainable energy.

Space station solar energy

 SBSP, also known as Space-Based Solar Power, refers to collecting solar energy in space using satellites and sending it to Earth. In this method, the bases that are located in the earth's orbit are used. Currently, it is technically feasible to implement SBSP. There are technologies required to build and launch solar satellites and wirelessly transmit energy to Earth.

The amount of energy that reaches the earth's surface from the sun is about ten thousand times more than the current human needs. About 50 years ago, researches in this field have been started on how we can receive the sun's energy outside the earth's atmosphere and send it to the stations based on the earth after converting it into microwaves. The amount of this energy is so high that it can meet all human needs even for centuries to come. This energy can be used after being received by ground stations. Due to the fact that there is almost constant access to sunlight in space, problems related to the day-night cycle or atmospheric and weather phenomena cannot be considered as an obstacle to receiving and sending energy.

Since there are many stars in space besides the sun that we can use their light and heat, finding a way to collect and transfer energy from space can solve the problem of clean and sustainable energy forever. Also, this type of energy utilization can solve environmental problems to a great extent. In other words, it is not necessary to use fossil fuels for energy supply, which causes greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and climate change. 1

 This method, which is currently implemented on a laboratory scale, has several advantages. Its most important advantages are:

More energy harvesting: In space, there is no atmosphere to absorb or scatter sunlight. Because of this, solar satellites can collect more energy than solar panels on Earth.

Reducing dependence on fossil fuels: Considering that fossil fuels are limited, energy from SBSP can be a very suitable alternative to them.

 Permanent access: Unlike solar panels on rooftops that can only generate electricity during the day, solar satellites can orbit the Earth and continuously receive and send sunlight back to Earth.

 Pollution reduction: SBSP is a clean and renewable energy source that produces almost no pollutants.

Ability to electrify remote areas: SBSP can provide electricity to areas that do not have access to the terrestrial power grid, thereby bridging the gap between low-income areas and rich areas to some extent in the field of energy.

Solar power plant as interface to space stations: By adding parts to satellites that act as solar power plants, they can be used as a space station and interface to different stations.

Challenges

However, like any new technology, SBSP has challenges that need to be overcome. These challenges include:

 Cost: Building and launching solar satellites into space is very expensive. There is also a need to develop and create ground infrastructure to receive and distribute energy. Reducing the cost of SBSP is necessary to compete with traditional energy sources. It is also necessary for governments to consider incentives for investors and startups that operate in this field; Because solving the problem of providing clean energy will solve many other environmental problems, air pollution in big cities and transportation of fossil fuels.

 Efficiency: Converting solar energy into electricity and transferring it to the ground is associated with significant loss. Improving the efficiency of SBSP systems is necessary to increase productivity and reduce costs.

 Public acceptance: Some people have concerns about the environmental impact of the SBSP, such as light pollution and impact on wildlife, and believe that the effects of the plan have not yet been assessed. Creating public acceptance for SBSP requires public education and communication about the benefits and risks of this technology.

 Regulations and Rules: The legal and regulatory framework for SBSP is still under development. Establishing clear and consistent rules and regulations is necessary to promote investment and development of this technology. Also, the intellectual property of SBSP technologies and issues related to the use of space for commercial purposes need to be resolved.

 Cyber ​​security: SBSP systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks. Establishing strong security measures is necessary to protect these systems from hackers.

Space station solar energy projects

There are many research and experimental projects in different countries in the field of space station solar energy. Of course, currently no SBSP project is working commercially in the world. Some of these projects are:

Project Solaris: The European Space Agency (ESA) is developing Project Solaris, which aims to build a small prototype of a space solar power plant by 2030. Its complete preparation program is supposed to be prepared in this agency by 2025. The European Space Agency has announced that with this project it will develop the latest technologies in both space and ground applications. This organization intends to become a powerful actor in the international competition in the field of achieving clean energy on a large scale. Considering that European countries have accepted significant commitments in the field of environmental protection and climate change, the Solaris project can help them achieve clean and sustainable energy.

Caltech's space solar power: In 2023, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has successfully completed a project to transfer energy from space to Earth for the first time. The main designer of this project is an Iranian engineer named Ali Jajimiri, who also led this operation. The wireless power transmission was carried out by MAPLE on March 3rd of this year. MAPLE, short for Microwave Array for Power Transfer Low-Orbit Experiment, consists of an array of flexible, lightweight microwave energy transmitters driven by custom electronic chips built using low-cost silicon technologies.

Ali Hajimiri says about this revolutionary project: "As far as we know, no one has ever demonstrated wireless energy transmission in space, even with inflexible and expensive structures. We do this with flexible lightweight structures and with our own integrated circuits. This is the first time." 2

Space-based solar power provides a way to tap into the virtually unlimited supply of solar energy in outer space, where energy is constantly available without being subject to day-night cycles, seasons, and cloud cover; Potentially eight times as many solar panels anywhere on Earth. Once the project is fully realized, a constellation of modular spacecraft will be deployed to collect sunlight and then convert it into electricity; After converting it to microwaves, it transmits it wirelessly over long distances to wherever it is needed, including places that do not currently have access to stable electricity.

Project PowerSat: The American company Orbital Sciences is developing the PowerSat project, which aims to build a large space solar power plant by 2025.

SunWorks project: The Japanese company JAXA is developing the SunWorks project, which aims to send solar energy to Earth using lasers by 2050.

Artificial intelligence and wireless power transmission from space

Artificial intelligence can help in accelerating and optimizing SBSP in different ways:

1. Design and manufacture of solar satellites

Optimizing Solar Panels: AI algorithms can be used to design more efficient solar panels using lighter and stronger materials as well as better sun tracking.

Automated control systems: Artificial intelligence can be used to develop automated control systems for satellites to autonomously place them in orbit and adjust their orientation to capture maximum sunlight.

Simulation and prediction: Artificial intelligence models can be used to simulate the performance of satellites in different conditions and predict possible failures and problems.

2. Energy Transfer

Optimizing the transmission path: Artificial intelligence algorithms can be used to find the best path to transmit energy from the satellite to the ground with the least signal loss.

Distribution Network Control: AI can be used to control and manage the energy distribution network on Earth to ensure efficient and reliable distribution of electricity to consumers.

3. Management and maintenance

Health monitoring: AI can be used to monitor the health of satellites and ground components of the SBSP system in order to identify problems and take preventive measures before failure occurs.

Diagnosis and Troubleshooting: Artificial intelligence can be used to analyze sensor data and automatically diagnose and troubleshoot problems in the SBSP system.

Optimizing operations: AI can be used to optimize SBSP system operations to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Analysis of weather data: Artificial intelligence can be used to analyze weather data and predict solar energy production patterns.

Economic evaluation: AI models can be used to evaluate the economic benefits of SBSP and identify the best investment opportunities.

Increase public awareness: AI can be used to create educational campaigns and increase public awareness about SBSP and its benefits.

Footnote:

1. https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2020/02/space-based-solar-power

2. https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/in-a-first-caltechs-space-solar-power-demonstrator-wirelessly-transmits-power-in-space