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HIGH-EFFICIENCY HIGH-POWER LASER BEAMING IN-SPACE SYSTEMS BASED ON SIC

Project description

Wireless power transfer for space and beyond

Wireless power transfer has the potential to revolutionise energy systems, but current technology faces limitations. Laser power converters (LPCs), which use light to transmit energy, struggle with efficiency losses at high intensities. These losses occur because the materials used in LPCs cannot handle intense energy without losing power. The EU-funded RePowerSiC project addresses this challenge by using silicon carbide (SiC) instead of traditional materials to create more efficient converters that can handle higher power densities. With a goal of increasing efficiency to over 80 %, RePowerSiC could unlock opportunities in areas like satellite power and space exploration.

Objective

High-power laser transmission (HPLT) is one of the most promising wireless power transfer technologies due to its ability to efficiently transmit energy in space, opening the path to new potential applications. The HPLT uses monochromatic light to transfer energy to a remote system via a laser power converter (LPC). Today, GaAs LPCs possess record efficiencies, with values around 69% at intensities around 11 W/cm2. However, they are limited by a strong decrease in the efficiency with light intensity due to the unavoidable series resistance losses caused by their low energy gap (Egap). RePowerSiC aims to develop a novel high-efficiency laser converter for intensities around 1kW/cm2, which will create a breakthrough in HPLT. The project tackles current HPLT limitations using two strategies: i) introducing new materials with higher energy gaps and ii) developing novel LPC architectures. RePowerSiC is based on silicon carbide (SiC) poly types with Egap > 2.3 eV (50% higher than for GaAs) and on innovative device architectures with Rs~10-4 Ohm cm2 (>10 times larger than GaAs). This revolutionary technology seeks to: i) obtain a power converter with an efficiency > 80%, ii) increase the power density transferred more than 1 order of magnitude when compared to the current technology, and iii) the development of a green material manufacturing technology for eco-friendlier and cheaper devices. RePowerSiC project offers a paradigm shift transferring power in the order of kilowatts or higher thanks to its scalability. The larger power density will allow to reduce the LPC surface and the battery size, or even remove it completely. This high-risk/high-gain technology offers new disruptive solutions to power remote systems, being of great interest for satellites, landers, rovers, and in-space energy transmission for innovative applications. It also creates a new technology avenue in SiC materials and opens new domains of application.

Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

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.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 947 767,25
Address
COLEXIO DE SAN XEROME PRAZA DO OBRADOIRO S/N
15782 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Spain

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Region
Noroeste Galicia A Coruña
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 973 541,25

Participants (5)

Partners (1)

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