Solar Thermal Power as an alternative technology for large Space Based Solar Power applications

Paper number

IAC-08.C3.1.4

Author

Mr. Riccardo Nadalini, Active Space Technologies, Germany

Year

2008

Abstract

The concept of solar driven, thermo-electric generation of power, in short "Solar Thermal", in which solar light is concentrated by means of mirrors of various shapes to heat up a working fluid and generate power is at the base of numerous terrestrial applications. Especially for large scale power generation, solar thermal presents numerous advantages over photovoltaic systems.
In the discussions over Space Based Solar Power (SBSP), the photovoltaic technology seems to be at the core of many of the proposed solutions, even for large scale plants requiring hundreds of launches to complete the system.
The alternative application of a Solar Thermal solution presents overwhelming advantages over a photovoltaic solution and could be applicable in a far shorter span of time thanks to the availability of most of the necessary technologies.
A solar thermal power satellite would have an inner "Hi-Tech" core, with the power generation and transmission machinery, surrounded by a vast array of inexpensive mirrors/concentrators, making it easy to launch, install and maintain. Such a mostly passive system is much less sensible to micrometeoroids, radiation or space weather events. As a result, the system would have a much longer life and lower overall costs than competing solutions. Another possible advantage to examine is, in the longer term, the possibilities of using space-based resources to build or maintain the system. A fabricator of solar cells remains a machine of the distant future, but the manufacturing of reflective foils or the mining of water could be doable in mere decades.
On the negative side, these systems are not competitive if the size of the power plant is too small, since the "core" machinery cannot be efficiently miniaturized.
Purpose of this paper is to examine the solar thermal power technology and compare it with the photovoltaic technology, to determine which one is the most advantageous for medium- and large-scale generation of power in space.

Abstract document

IAC-08.C3.1.4.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.C3.1.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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