Project description
Cost-efficient space-based solar power harnessing
Space-based solar power (SBSP) offers a highly promising energy solution with significant benefits for satellites and space stations, and potential applications on Earth such as power stations and stratospheric platforms. However, current SBSP options face limitations, including high launch costs, safety or security concerns, and potential technical difficulties. The EIC-funded REMPOWER project aims to address these challenges by developing innovative rectenna technology and a sub-THz wireless energy transmission solution. The project will focus on modelling and designing high-efficiency, high-power rectification, creating a flexible, lightweight 100 GHz modular rectenna; exploring new approaches for nonlinear rectifier and rectenna characterisation; and improving the scalability of rectenna arrays. Additionally, it aims to reduce costs throughout the manufacturing and development processes.
Objective
The REMPOWER project embarks on a pioneering journey to harness the untapped potential of space-based solar power (SBSP) through innovative rectenna technology and sub-THz wireless energy transmission. However, SBSP also faces many challenges, such as high launch costs, technical difficulties, and potential safety and security issues.
At its core, REMPOWER is driven by four pivotal technical objectives associated with the capture and rectification of a sub-THz high energy beam:
100 GHz Modular, Flexible and Lightweight Rectenna: REMPOWER will develop rectenna technologies capable of capturing energy at 100 GHz. These modular rectenna technologies will provide modularity, flexibility at panel level and will allow the reduction of the weight of the final solution.
High Efficiency and high power rectification: REMPOWERs advanced diode and rectifier modeling and design will allow tackling high rectification efficiency, and high power handling capability, despite the sub-THz constraint. This will yield high output DC power while limiting the cost related to the number of required non-linear devices.
Nonlinear Rectifier and Rectenna Characterization: REMPOWER will introduce a novel approach by subjecting rectifiers to wideband signals, enabling a comprehensive analysis of amplitudes and phases across multiple intermodulation frequencies. This breakthrough will unveils intricate nonlinear behaviors for heightened efficiency.
Scalable Rectenna Arrays for Large Surfaces: REMPOWER will focus on scalability to enable high-power transmission, to reduce design and manufacturing costs and to improve modularity and flexibility.
The progress within REMPOWER transcends current technological boundaries, offering promise for sustainable in-space mobility solutions and renewable energy generation. By conquering the challenges of high-frequency energy capture, REMPOWER will reshape the future of space exploration, energy generation, and sustainability.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
92200 Courbevoie
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.