The Sphere — Museum of The Future

The Museum of Future Energy is located within the central pavilion of EXPO-2017, Nur Alem, in Astana. “Nur Alem” translates from Kazakh as “Radiant World.” This impressive building is the largest spherical structure in the world, with a diameter of 80 meters and a total height of 92 meters. The architectural masterpiece was designed by Albert Speer Jr., who envisioned the sphere as a symbolic “last drop of oil” before the transition to green energy.

The transparent structure spans eight floors, each dedicated to different forms of energy, except the first and eighth levels. A friendly robot greets visitors on each floor, providing an overview of the exhibits upon request.

The museum journey begins on the top floor, where visitors can ride one of eight elevators to reach the “City of the Future” exhibition. Here, they discover “Future Astana” and the vision for Kazakhstan’s capital in 2050. A sculptural model illustrates the city’s ambitions for sustainable development and environmental efficiency. Visitors can also explore models of existing and planned buildings and enjoy panoramic views of present-day Astana through the pavilion’s glass walls.

The Space Energy exhibit introduces visitors to futuristic ideas about energy generation in space, including the Dyson Sphere theory. Interactive screens offer information on matter, antimatter, dark matter, and solar sails.

 This floor explores various methods of harnessing solar energy, from ancient civilizations to cutting-edge modern technologies. It emphasizes that all energy on Earth ultimately comes from the Sun. People of all cultures and religions revered the Sun, from the Greeks worshiping Apollo, to the Egyptians venerating Ra, and the Japanese honoring Amaterasu. The museum also delves into the solar systems, providing insight into the seven planets that revolve around the Sun.

The wind energy exhibit starts with the “Alley of Winds,” where visitors can experience wind speeds ranging from 5 to 7 on the Beaufort scale. Mythology plays a role here, with stories of wind gods like Aeolus from Greek mythology, Huracan from Central America (who gave the name “hurricane”), and Japan’s Fujin, who carries wind in his bag. There’s also Raijin, the Japanese god of storms, who brings typhoons.

This level features a green panorama illustrating various types of grain, representing biomass as a “storage” of solar energy.

Visitors begin their journey with a dynamic archive of images, highlighting historical artifacts related to kinetic energy.

This section showcases water energy through an artistic installation of a dam, visually representing the process of generating energy from water.

The first floor immerses visitors in Kazakhstan’s vast landscapes, rich culture, history, present, and future, alongside the energy projects of local scientists. A highlight of this level is a model of the Kazakhstan Tokamak for Material Studies, a thermonuclear reactor.