30-04-2014, 12:07 PM
Solar Power Satellites and Microwave Power Transmission
Solar Power Satellites.ppt (Size: 1 MB / Downloads: 129)
1940’s to Present
World War II developed ability to convert energy to microwaves using a magnetron, no method for converting microwaves back to electricity
1964 William C. Brown demonstrated a rectenna which could convert microwave power to electricity
Solar Power from Satellites
1968’s idea for Solar Power Satellites proposed by Peter Glaser
Would use microwaves to transmit power to Earth from Solar Powered Satellites
Idea gained momentum during the Oil Crises of 1970’s, but after prices stabilized idea was dropped
US Department of Energy research program 1978-1981
Details of the DOE Study
Construct the satellites in space
Each SPS would have 400 million solar cells
Use the Space Shuttle to get pieces to a low orbit station
Tow pieces to the assembly point using a purpose built space tug (similar to space shuttle)
NASA Fresh Look Report
SPS could be competitive with other energy sources and deserves further study
Research aimed at an SPS system of 250 MW
Would cost around $10 billion and take 20 years
National Research Council found the research worthwhile but under funded to achieve its goals
Microwaves
Frequency 2.45 GHz microwave beam
Retro directive beam control capability
Power level is well below international safety standard
Environmental
Possible health hazards
Effects of long term exposure
Exposure is equal to the amount that people receive from cell phones and microwaves
Location
The size of construction for the rectennas is massive
Conclusions
More reliable than ground based solar power
In order for SPS to become a reality it several things have to happen:
Government support
Cheaper launch prices
Involvement of the private sector