China's 'Zhuori Project' Achieves Breakthrough in Space-Based Solar Power Transmission

Chinese researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in microwave wireless power transmission technology, bringing the long-imagined concept of space-based solar power stations closer to reality. The "Zhuori Project" (逐日工程, "Chasing the Sun"), led by Academician Duan Baoyan's team at Xidian University, has successfully overcome multiple key technical challenges in long-distance wireless energy transmission. The team demonstrated kilowatt-level power output at a distance of hundreds of meters and completed ground-based verification of one-to-many dynamic target microwave wireless power transmission. At its core, microwave wireless power transmission works by converting electrical energy into electromagnetic waves, transmitting the energy through space, and then capturing it with receiving antennas that rectify the signals back into usable electricity. Unlike the familiar magnetic induction used in consumer wireless charging — which requires extremely close proximity — microwave transmission can carry energy over vastly greater distances, making it the only viable approach for transmitting power from orbital solar stations down to Earth's surface. The technology still faces significant hurdles before practical implementation. Efficiency remains a primary challenge: electromagnetic waves naturally spread out over long distances, requiring massive antenna arrays to minimize energy loss. Electromagnetic safety is another concern, as boosting power density to improve efficiency raises potential radiation risks. Additionally, the economic competitiveness of the complete microwave transmission chain will determine whether the technology can be deployed at scale. Despite these obstacles, researchers identify several near-term applications where the technology is immediately viable. In unmanned smart factories, a single transmitter could wirelessly charge multiple robots as they work, eliminating downtime for wired charging. The technology also shows promise for remote areas where traditional power lines are difficult or impossible to install. The space-based solar power concept envisions enormous solar arrays in geostationary orbit collecting sunlight 24/7 without atmospheric interference, then beaming the energy to receiving stations on Earth. If realized, it could provide an inexhaustible source of clean energy fundamentally reshaping humanity's energy landscape. Industry experts describe microwave wireless power transmission as a key enabling technology for deep transformations across energy, transportation, and industrial sectors. Its deep integration with specific application scenarios represents the core path to breaking through traditional power supply bottlenecks.