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  • Advanced Energy Conversion Technologies and Architectures for Earth and Beyond

    Paper number

    IAC-06-C3.1.08

    Author

    Mr. Joe T. Howell, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States

    Year

    2006

    Abstract
    Research, development and studies of novel space-based solar power systems, technologies and architectures for Earth and beyond are needed to reduce the cost of clean electrical power for terrestrial use and to provide a stepping stone for providing an abundance of power in space, i.e., manufacturing facilities, tourist facilities, delivery of power between objects in space, and between space and surface sites. The architectures, technologies and systems needed for space to Earth applications may also be used for in-space applications.  Advances in key technologies, i.e., power generation, power management and distribution, power beaming and conversion of beamed power are needed to achieve the objectives of both terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications. There is a need to produce "proof-of-concept" validation of critical WPT technologies for both the near-term, as well as far-term applications. Investments may be harvested in near-term beam safe demonstrations of commercial WPT applications. Receiving sites (users) include ground-based stations for terrestrial electrical power, orbital sites to provide power for satellites and other platforms, future space elevator systems, space vehicle propulsion, and space surface sites. Space surface receiving sites of particular interest include the areas of permanent shadow near the moon’s North and South poles, where WPT technologies could enable access to ice and other useful resources for human exploration. 
    
    This paper discusses work addressing a promising approach to solar power generation and beamed power conversion.  The approach is based on a unique high-power solar concentrator array called Stretched Lens Array (SLA) applied to both solar power generation and beamed power conversion. Since both versions (solar and laser) of SLA use many identical components (only the photovoltaic cells need to be different), economies of manufacturing and scale may be realized by using SLA on both ends of the laser power beaming system in a space solar power application.  Near-term uses of this SLA-laser-SLA system may include terrestrial and space exploration in near Earth space.  Later uses may include beamed power for bases or vehicles on Mars.  Strategies for developing energy infrastructures in space which utilize this technology are presented.
    
    This dual use system produces electrical energy efficiently from either coherent light, such as from a highly coherent laser, or from conventional solar illumination. This allows, for example, supplementing solar energy with energy provided by highly coherent laser illumination during periods of low solar illumination or no illumination. This reduces the need for batteries and alternate sources of power. The capability of using laser illumination in a lowest order Gaussian laser mode provides means for transmitting power optically with maximum efficiency and precision over the long distances characteristic of space. 
    
    A preliminary receiving system similar to that described here, has been produced and tested under solar and laser illumination.  A summary of results is given.
    
    Abstract document

    IAC-06-C3.1.08.pdf