16-07-2012, 04:46 PM
Wireless Power Transmission Using Solar Power Satellites (SPS)
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I N T R O D U C T I O N
The new millennium has introduced increased pressure for finding new renewable energy sources. The exponential increase in population has led to the global crisis such as global warming, environmental pollution and change and rapid decrease of fossil reservoirs. Also the demand of electric power increases at a much higher pace than other energy demands as the world is industrialized and computerized. Under these circumstances, research has been carried out to look into the possibility of building a power station in space to transmit electricity to Earth by way of radio waves-the Solar Power Satellites. Solar Power Satellites(SPS) converts solar energy in to micro waves and sends that microwaves in to a beam to a receiving antenna on the Earth for conversion to ordinary electricity.SPS
WHY SPS
Increasing global energy demand is likely to continue for many decades. Renewable energy is a compelling approach – both philosophically and in engineering terms. However, many renewable energy sources are limited in their ability to affordably provide the base load power required for global industrial development and prosperity, because of inherent land and water requirements.
SPS – THE BACK GROUND
The concept of a large SPS that would be placed in geostationary orbit was invented by Peter Glaser in 1968 [1].The SPS concept was examined extensively during the late 1970s by the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The DOE-NASA put forward the SPS Reference System Concept in 1979 [2]. The central feature of this concept was the creation of a large scale power infrastructure in space, consisting of about 60 SPS, delivering a total of about 300GW.But, as a result of the huge price tag, lack of evolutionary concept and the subsiding energy crisis in 1980-1981, all U.S SPS efforts were terminated with a view to re-asses the concept after about ten years. During this time international interest in SPS emerged which led to WPT experiments in Japan.
RECENT NASA EFFORTS
Fresh look Study
During 1995-96, NASA conducted a re-examination of the technologies, system concepts of SPS systems [2],[3].The principal objective of this ‘Fresh Look Study’ was to determine whether a SPS and associated systems could be defined. The Fresh Look Study concluded that the prospects for power from space were more technically viable than they had been earlier.
SSP Concept Definition Study
During 1998, NASA conducted the SSP Concept Definition Study which was a focused one year effort that tested the results of the previous Fresh Look Study. A principal product of the efforts was the definition of a family of strategic R&T road maps for the possible development of SSP technologies.
SSP Exploratory and Research Technology Program
In 2000, NASA conducted the SERT Program which further defined new system concepts. The SERT Program comprised of three complementary elements:
• System studies and analysis
Analysis of SSP systems and architecture concepts to address the economic viability as well as environmental issue assessments.
• SSP Research and technology
Focused on the exploratory research to identify system concepts and establish technical viability
• SPS technology demonstration
Initial small scale demonstration of key SSP concepts and / or components using related system / technologies.