SRINAGAR: China has announced plans to construct an ambitious space-based solar power station, which rocket scientist Long Lehao has likened to a Three Gorges Dam above the Earth. This initiative, revealed during a lecture at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, underscores China’s drive to lead the renewable energy revolution and explore cutting-edge technological solutions to address global energy demands, South China Morning Post reported.
The project envisions deploying massive solar arrays in geostationary orbit, 36,000 km above Earth, to collect uninterrupted solar energy and wirelessly transmit it back to Earth. Unlike traditional solar farms, space-based solar stations bypass limitations such as weather, seasons, and the day-night cycle. According to Long, the energy density in space is ten times higher than on Earth. He estimated that the energy collected in one year would equal the total oil reserves on the planet.
The project draws comparisons to the Three Gorges Dam, China’s engineering marvel located on the Yangtze River, which holds the title of the world’s largest hydropower station. Completed in 2012, the dam can generate approximately 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, meeting the needs of millions of households. The dam also serves as a flood control mechanism, capable of holding 40 billion cubic metres of water.
However, its massive reservoir has been linked to unintended consequences. A NASA study revealed that the redistribution of Earth’s mass due to the dam’s immense water storage has slightly slowed the planet’s rotation. The change, measured at 0.06 microseconds per day, is minuscule but significant, highlighting how large-scale human engineering projects can affect planetary dynamics.
This phenomenon is attributed to the dam altering Earth’s moment of inertia – the distribution of its mass relative to its rotation axis. As the reservoir’s mass shifts, the Earth’s spin slows slightly, showcasing the delicate interplay between human innovation and natural systems.
The space-based solar power project presents challenges of its own. Developing the necessary heavy-lift rockets, constructing kilometre-wide solar arrays in orbit, and ensuring efficient microwave energy transmission to Earth are monumental tasks. Long’s team has developed the Long March-9 (CZ-9), a reusable heavy-lift rocket capable of transporting 150 tonnes of material to low Earth orbit, surpassing NASA’s Saturn V.
Despite setbacks in earlier rocket programmes, including the failure of the Long March 3B rocket in its initial missions, Long’s team has achieved significant milestones. The Long March 3B has since completed 99 successful launches, placing 108 satellites into orbit.
China has also been working on experimental ground-based technology. In 2021, the country began building its first space solar power test station in Chongqing. By 2023, researchers developed the “Chasing Sun Project,” which demonstrated breakthroughs in wireless microwave energy transmission and power transfer efficiency, critical components for the space station.
While China’s space ambitions captivate the world, the country is simultaneously advancing its hydropower infrastructure. Beijing has approved the construction of a massive dam on the Brahmaputra River in the Himalayan region of Tibet, near the disputed border with India. Expected to generate three times the power of the Three Gorges Dam, this project has raised environmental and geopolitical concerns.
Located in a seismically active zone, the Brahmaputra project’s potential environmental impact is significant. Experts warn of cascading dam failures in the event of a major earthquake, which could devastate regions downstream. Additionally, India has expressed concerns about water flow disruptions and the potential for China to weaponise the dam during conflicts.
China’s ambitious projects, from the Three Gorges Dam to its space-based solar power station, exemplify human ingenuity but also raise questions about long-term environmental and geopolitical consequences. NASA’s findings about the Three Gorges Dam’s impact on Earth’s rotation serve as a cautionary tale about the ripple effects of large-scale engineering projects.
The space-based solar power station, if realised, could revolutionise energy production, offering a sustainable and continuous power source while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, as with the Three Gorges Dam, the broader implications of such a monumental endeavour demand careful consideration. As China pushes the boundaries of innovation, the world watches closely, hopeful for breakthroughs but wary of their unforeseen consequences.
