The Space Power Grid
- Paper number
IAC-06-C3.4.-D3.4.06
- Author
Prof. Narayanan Komerath, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
This paper lays out an approach to develop Space Solar Power, with a small initial investment, a rising market, early revenue generation, and an evolutionary path to full Space-based power generation. The key idea is to use space assets initially for a global power exchange, establish the infrastructure, and then add space-based power as technology advances and revenue flows in. In the process, the economic viability of “green” power plants on earth will be greatly enhanced.
Problem Statement The problem to be solved is how to develop an evolutionary approach where revenue generation starts early and with small investment, and leads to full-scale Space Solar Power. Advanced industrial nations have a huge installed power grid, using high-voltage lines that incur very low transmission losses. In addition, most nuclear plants have fully paid off their investment, so that costs are low. “Green” energy sources such as wind and solar plants have to be located in high deserts, mountain ranges, and coastlines – regions with poor transmission infrastructure. “Green” sources are fundamentally unsteady, and hence cannot compete for “baseload” status, or command the same price for their product as established fossil, nuclear or hydroelectric plants. On the other hand, in many countries, delivery infrastructure is ill developed. Today, hydrocarbon fuel prices are 3 times what they were a very few years ago. Penalties for carbon emission are rising. Concept Description 1.Start infrastructure as a service to terrestrial energy producers. Beam energy to LEO from ideal collection locations, and redirect it to earth-based microwave collectors for local distribution. 2. Add generation capacity in steps. 3. Add direct energy conversion equipment to the satellites.
Results and Conclusions Our proposed system starts with 36 satellites in low near-equatorial orbits at roughly 600 km above Earth. Power plants located near the equator beam power up to the satellites and across to other plants where power production is below demand (due to night time or low wind). While the transmission efficiency can only be 50
The concept offers the large advantage of enabling "green" energy plants to become viable baseload plants, open up markets all over the world, and enable beamed power delivery, both to emergency locations affected by natural disasters, and to space-based customers.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-C3.4.-D3.4.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.