Space Microgrids: New Concepts on Electric Power Systems for Satellites
Open accessAbstract
Electric Power Systems (EPSs) are of paramount importance in satellites. These systems are responsible for power generation, storage, delivery, and conditioning. A failure in an EPS may hinder all of the aforementioned functionalities, which, consequently, leads to a failure of the whole space mission. There are many technologies available in both industry and the literature of EPSs, where each has its own fault tolerance capabilities. On the other hand, the efficiency of EPSs is an important factor because it promotes having a higher power reserve, thus feeding payloads at all the necessary times. In this article, EPSs for satellite-based microgrids are reviewed, with more of a focus on their energy generation and storage, including their protection schemes. Moreover, sizing guidelines for energy generation and storage systems are also provided.
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Batteries in CubeSats are used as the main source of power when the satellite is eclipsed by Earth or to supply peak loads during periods of low solar irradiance.
“The batteries are used as the main source of power when the satellite is eclipsed by Earth or to supply peak loads during periods of low solar irradiance.”
From New Horizons for Microgrids: From Rural Electrification to Space Applications (2023) · cites this paper as [84]
Sections II and IV say CubeSat batteries supply power during eclipse and can also serve peak loads. The claim's low-solar-irradiance condition for peak loads is not supported: Section IV specifically describes their use for peak loads under high solar irradiance. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredCubeSats have the same main components as traditional microgrids (energy generation, storage, loads, and an energy management system), albeit at significantly lower power levels.
“CubeSats have the same main components as the traditional microgrids, i.e., energy generation, storage and loads as well as an energy management system, albeit at significantly lower power levels.”
From New Horizons for Microgrids: From Rural Electrification to Space Applications (2023) · cites this paper as [84]
Section II, “Overall CubeSat Structure” (page unavailable), describes CubeSat PV generation, battery storage, payload loads, and a controller that regulates power harvesting. The copy does not establish that CubeSats have an energy management system comparable to a traditional microgrid’s, or compare their power levels with traditional microgrids. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredCubeSats are mainly powered by multijunction PV cells.
“Although there have been developments in this respect, CubeSats are mainly powered by multijunction PV cells.”
From New Horizons for Microgrids: From Rural Electrification to Space Applications (2023) · cites this paper as [84]
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- Authors
- Lashab, A., Yaqoob, M., Terriche, Y., Vasquez, J. C., & Guerrero, J. M.
- Affiliations
- Aalborg University (DK)
- Venue
- IEEE Electrification Magazine
- Published
- 2020-12
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 8-19
- ISSN
- 2325-5889 (ISSN-L)
- 2325-5897
- OpenAlex
- W3108864934
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4
- FWCI
- 2.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- vbn.aau.dk
- Licence
- Locations
- IEEE Electrification Magazine (publishedVersion)
- VBN Forskningsportal (Aalborg Universitet) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- VILLUM FONDEN (25920)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Control and Systems Engineering › Microgrid Control and Optimization
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Photovoltaic System Optimization Techniques
- Keywords
- fault tolerance, energy storage, electricity generation, protection schemes, system sizing, power reserve
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