The Role of Outer Space in the Move Toward Alternative Energy
The quest to find clean, renewable energy sources has led scientists from around the world on an incredible journey across our planet. Research has been conducted using sunlight, wind, and water to find solutions. Breakthroughs have occurred with algae; bacteria, waste products, motion, and almost anything else you could imagine to either create energy or perfect production. Now scientists are looking a little further from home for a solution to our growing energy crisis. Could the answer to our demand for green energy -be found in outer space? Some researchers feel that it could, though the technology is years from being a viable option.
Helium-3 is an element that has been found to be the perfect component in the production of nuclear energy. When used to power nuclear fusion reactions, Helium-3 produces no pollution or radioactive waste. It is estimated that only 25 tons of Helium-3 could power the entire United States for an entire year. The problem is, tons of Helium-3 aren't lying around on the earth's surface waiting to be used.
Where do we find enough Helium-3 to solve our energy problems?
Many scientists believe we should look to the moon for answers. Helium-3 is a very abundant resource in the rocks and dirt on the moon's surface. In fact, the amount of this element available on the moon has an energy equivalent that would equal $4 billion per ton as compared to the value of oil. Before we start mining on the moon, however, the energy production process must be perfected. With current methods, the fusion reactions were not of a high enough temperature to be an effective energy source. Additionally, the Helium-3 on the moon's surface is in very low concentrations so that heavy refining would be required even if the element were mined. This refining process would add considerably, to the overall cost of energy produced by using Helium-3.
Another way scientists are looking to space for answers.
Harvesting space solar power.
Solar energy harvested in space is eight times brighter, than it is on the surface of the earth. This is due to the distortion caused by the atmosphere and all the pollutants it contains. Collecting solar energy in space would also help us by reducing the land-use footprint associated with large solar power installations on the surface.
In theory, solar panels in space could either be mounted on orbiting satellites, or, on the surface of the moon. The energy could then theoretically be beamed to earth as microwaves, and then converted back to energy with rectennas. Similar technology is already being used to transfer cell phone signals, so it is definitely a possibility for use in solar energy. At this time, however, the cost would be far too high, for this to be a feasible commercial energy source.
Could outer space contain the answer to our need for clean, renewable energy? It is a definite possibility that it could, and one day it probably will. For now, available technology, and the costs associated with these far out methods of collecting energy, keeps the use of it just out of our reach.
