In the Simcity 2000 video game, a type of futuristic power plant was a microwave power plant in which solar energy was collected in space and transmitted back to Earth. Now this idea has become reality. The MAPLE (Microwave Array for Power Transfer Low Orbit Experiment) experimental system and the Solar Space Demonstrator (SSPD) have demonstrated that efficient transfer of energy between space and Earth is possible.

The device, which was launched in January 2023, successfully transferred power to space within months, as a result of various tests conducted over an eight-month period, and reached Earth with an efficiency of approximately 1 milliwatt. The project aims to develop a space module consisting of cube satellites that form a large mass structure with solar panels and microwave transmitters, and can provide energy to tens of thousands of homes.

Thanks to the flexibility of the MAPLE system in energy transmission, energy can be sent to any remote point or disaster-affected areas without the need for transmission infrastructure.

SSPP co-director Ali Hajimiri sees this breakthrough as a way to “democratize energy,” just as the internet opened up access to information. Transmitting energy without the need for infrastructure can provide electricity to remote or affected areas.

In addition to MAPLE, the project also involves testing other components such as DOLCE and ALBA, which study the distribution properties of space structures and the selection of photovoltaic cells, respectively. Although research on these components has not yet been published, they play a key role in the development of a solar space station.

The experiment is currently considered a successful proof of concept confirming the possibility of transmitting solar energy from space to Earth. Although the final paper describing the research findings points out some limitations and the need for further improvements, it also highlights the potential for future development. Subsequent versions of the experiment will focus on eliminating the identified shortcomings and expanding the possibilities of creating a prototype of a full-fledged solar power plant in space.

This advance opens new perspectives for global energy, promising a revolutionary approach to delivering electricity without barriers of geography or infrastructure. The ability to transmit energy from space directly to where it is needed will not only change the way we produce and consume energy, but could also significantly increase energy security and sustainability on a global level.