The project focuses on developing the Moon Energy Hub (MEnH), which would provide a stable energy source for future lunar settlements using small nuclear fission reactors called Surface Nuclear Reactors (SNRs). The ASI-funded Selene project is led by the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), with contributions from the Department of Energy at the Polytechnic University of Milan and Thales Alenia Space Italia. Four ENEA research centres are involved in the project: Frascati, Casaccia, Bologna and Brasimone.
Lasting three years, the SELENE project will allow the development of advanced technologies and solutions also in areas such as sensors, high automation and wireless power transmission and will allow the grounding, through an experimental test, of one of the most challenging technologies for SNR, namely heat disposal, with the aim of validating system performance and increasing technological maturity.
“By combining technological innovation, strategic vision, operability, reliability and compactness in an extremely ‘demanding’ environment such as the lunar one, the MEnH aims to become a cornerstone for future space explorations and a point of reference for defining a scenario clear operating and a roadmap to reach it”, said Mariano Tarantino, head of the ENEA Nuclear Systems Division.
“The coordination of SELENE allows us to confirm the role of ENEA in the nuclear sector for space at national and international level, becoming the glue between the industrial fabric and the world of research engaged in the space sector, a path already started with the ASI-ENEA agreement for the realisation of a first feasibility study for a nuclear reactor to power the moon bases,” he added.
A key aspect of the project is the ability to respond to changes in energy load and to manage any power outages. For this, energy storage systems are provided, which guarantee flexibility and operational reliability. The MEnH will also be equipped with an adjustable energy transmission system, to support activities at a distance from the generation centre, and a mobile reception system for less energy-consuming activities.
“Italy is strongly committed to the exploration of the Moon and the creation of a permanent lunar base,” said Angelo Olivieri, head of Scientific Missions at ASI. “Regarding energy supply, the currently available solutions, based on the use of solar energy, do not allow us to achieve the challenging energy goals for future activities on the lunar surface, due to the alternation of 14 days of light and 14 days of darkness. The search for an adequate technological solution represents a field of great interest for ASI.”
