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.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy space exploration
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry inorganic compounds
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy photovoltaic
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.
15782 Santiago De Compostela
Spain
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.