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Space Based Solar Power Innovation Competition: details of organisations awarded funding

Updated 17 April 2024

The 9 projects to be awarded funding from the Space Based Solar Power Innovation Competition are listed here.

Lot 1: Wireless power transmission

Queen Mary University of London

Funding amount: £960,607
Location: London
Project name: A high-efficient wireless power transmission system using vector phased array transmitter and reflector array rectenna

Description:

The proposed project aims to develop a space based solar power (SBSP) wireless power transmission (WPT) system with high efficiency over a long range beyond the state-of-the-art, through technological innovations in the transmitting antenna array and the receiving and rectifying antenna (rectenna). A research consortium, consisting of a team from QMUL and BSC Associates Ltd will conduct the proposed project. The key deliverables are the novel phased array transmitter and reflector rectenna verified in simulation and experiments.

University of Bristol

Funding amount: £353,398
Location: Bristol
Project name: SCOPES: SCalable OPen Electromagnetics for Solar power

Description:

This project aims to develop LyceanEM, an existing open source electromagnetics tool which is used for rapid virtual prototyping of conventional array designs and channel modelling. Allowing for scenario definition and small scale modelling on workstations, while providing a computationally efficient engine for high performance computing platforms capable of predicting the performance of kilometer scale orbital antenna arrays. This capability will allow for comprehensive simulation of the proposed space based solar power systems, providing clarity on the performance, safety, and reliability of GW scale wireless power transfer. SCOPES represents a persistent, open source toolset for accelerated antenna array design for complex systems with support for simulation of the effects of orbital motion and atmospheric effects at array scales unsupportable for currently available tools.

Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd

Funding amount: £999,513
Location: Oxford
Partners: Belfast, London
Project name: CASSIOPeiA antenna with steering scaled indoor experiment (CASSIE)

Description:

The CASSIOPeiA Antenna with Steering Scaled Indoor Experiment (CASSIE) Project will validate the electronical steering and beam quality of the CASSIOPeiA phased array design. Power densities relevant to space based solar power, that is, in excess of 200 W/m2, will be transferred between the antenna and a rectenna in a test chamber at partner Queen’s University Belfast. Imperial College London will design, simulate and experimentally validate transmission amplifier circuits to provide a roadmap for efficient microwave transmission electronics. The Catapult will also conceptualise, design and simulate retrodirective steering concepts for space based solar power, to create a scalable and secure approach to the pilot beam.

Lot 2: High concentration solar PV

University of Cambridge

Funding amount: £770,666
Location: Cambridge
Partners: Southampton, Wales
Project name: Concentrator solar cells to deliver space based solar power

Description:

The University of Cambridge, University of Southampton and IQE plc are teaming up to develop a concentrator photovoltaic device which can survive extended missions in high radiation environments, increasing lifetime, energy yields, and lowering the cost per unit energy. This will be achieved using an ultrathin device architecture for inherent radiation resilience, and an integrated light management system to maintain high solar energy conversion efficiency. These devices will be designed to be implemented within an ultra-lightweight reflective concentrator system. Thermal loading from the high levels of illumination will be re-radiated to the low temperature surroundings using a spectrally selective thin-film coating. These developments will target three key criteria for practical and economical delivery of concentrator PV for space based solar power:

(i) longevity in high radiation environments
(ii) high specific power for practically feasible and lower cost launch
(iii) thermal management

MicroLink Devices UK Ltd

Funding amount: £449,955
Location: Wales
Project name: Novel concentrator PV for SBSP

Description:

MicroLink Devices specialises in metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth of semiconductor structures for use in wireless communications devices and in the growth and fabrication of advanced solar cells for space and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Using MicroLink’s proprietary epitaxial lift-off (ELO) technology, the resulting multi-junction GaAs-based solar cells are highly efficient, lightweight, and flexible. These solar cells represent the next generation of advance solar cells for use on stratospheric UAVs and space satellites.

As part of the SBSP Innovation programme, MicroLink Devices UK Ltd will develop a GaAs based solar cell that features additional benefits over traditional space PV. This project will support the development of a viable space product that will support the UK space supply chain and create highly skilled jobs and indigenous industrial capability in South Wales. By minimising our use of some materials we will also help to address the balance between optimising efficiency and minimising environmental impact, contributing to the UK government Net Zero Strategy.

Lot 3: Space-based solar power (SBSP) energy systems engineering

Imperial College London

Funding amount: £295,194
Location: London
Project name: Whole-energy system integration of space-based solar power in the UK

Description:

The initial studies of SBSP have drawn encouraging conclusions and insights into the feasibility of a complete value chain of SBSP, and its contribution as a renewable electricity source to a future decarbonised energy system. However, the details of the benefits, system implications, and roles of SBSP technologies, including its integration with other low-carbon energy resources, still need to be understood and analysed from the whole-energy system perspective as it does not contribute to system inertia as synchronised generators do.

In that context, this project aims to identify and analyse these aspects quantitatively. The key output includes presentations and reports on the technoeconomic and reliability studies to DESNZ, UK Space Agency, and relevant stakeholders. A set of recommendations on the energy policy and market frameworks will be given to support the system integration of SBSP into the UK energy system.

EDF Energy R&D UK Centre Ltd

Funding amount: £25,855
Location: London
Project name: Space based energy application management (Space BEAM)

Description:

The project aims to determine the value of adding SBSP to the UK energy mix via the following studies:

1. A technology review of the latest feasible and emerging technologies that could be coupled to the SBPS ground facility. The objective is to assess how the introduction of SBSP will strengthen the investment in key technologies such as hydrogen, carbon capture, energy storage systems, etc.

2. The second study has the objective to determine the natural risks associated with SBSP, including extreme space and terrestrial weather, and their impacts on the required ground-based infrastructure.

3. Analysis of the value of introducing SBSP into the UK grid system. The output of this study will provide insights into the key pros and cons of increasing SBSP capacity in the UK power system while calculating the optimal SBSP capacity to install.

The insights of this project will provide an overall picture of the key opportunities and challenges faced by SBSP in the UK. Likewise, its associated results could inform SBSP stakeholders and policymakers regarding the economic viability of this technology, as well as in designing suitable mechanisms to facilitate the deployment of SBSP in the UK.

Lot 4: SBSP space mission architecture feasibility studies

Phase 1

Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd

Funding amount: £424,989
Location: Oxford
Project name: CASSIOPeiA commercial and concept phase 0/A (C3P0/A)

Description:

This project aims to advance the concept design of commercial, equitable and sustainable space-based solar power for baseload electricity, based on the CASSIOPeiA design. The Satellite Applications Catapult, with technical experts from Thales Alenia Space, will perform a Phase 0/A study which focuses on the initial concept development and review of possible mission architectures. At the end of the project, there will be a costed development roadmap, a systems engineering framework with requirements and a first iteration of concept designs for different system aspects.

Phase 2

Space Solar Engineering Ltd

Funding amount: £1,198,802
Location: Oxford
Project name: CASSIOPeiA design iteration (CASSiDI)

Description:

The CASSiDI project will build on earlier work by Space Solar, the Satellite Applications Catapult, Thales Alenia Space and Oxford Space Systems to define a baseline modular concept design for a space-based solar power system, based on the CASSIOPeiA architecture. Space based solar power once developed will benefit the world, supporting the transition to net zero and provide global energy security, delivering a safe and secure world where clean, affordable energy is available to all. In parallel, Space Solar will perform a wireless power transmission test campaign using its HARRIER (Horizontal Assembly for Receiving RadIo Energy Retrodirectively) prototype.