Germany launches 'world's largest artificial sun'

The machine, dubbed the "world's largest artificial sun," can generate energy 10,000 times greater than the sun's radiation reaching Earth and reach temperatures of 3,000 degrees Celsius.

Synlight consists of 149 high-energy projectors. Photo: Barcroft.

German scientists have turned on the world's largest artificial sun, Synlight, at the Institute for Solar Research, International Business Times reported. The experiment aims to explore the potential of clean, renewable energy sources. In particular, scientists hope to test the production of solar fuels such as hydrogen.

Synlight has 149 high-power lamps that emit solar radiation. The radiation from the lamps can be focused on an area measuring 20x20 cm. If the lamp is turned on at 350 kW, it will produce about 10,000 times more energy than the solar radiation reaching the Earth. The temperature can reach 3,000 degrees Celsius.

Johannes Remmel, director of the Environment Agency of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is the one who started the engine. According to him, to meet renewable energy targets and expand them, governments must rely on current technology. However, investing in advanced and modern technologies such as Synlight is necessary for the energy production of the future.

Hydrogen is a potential fuel for the future because it can be burned without releasing carbon dioxide. To produce hydrogen, scientists need to find a way to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The team hopes that the artificial sun will help them produce solar fuel on a commercial scale.

Synlight was created after nearly two years of development at a cost of about $3.8 million. Like solar fuel, the artificial sun can be used for both space research and industry.

According to VNE