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By
B.Ravindra Reddy
(MT097109)
  

ï Background
ï Solar Power Satellite
ï Microwave Power Transmission
ï Current Designs
ï Conclusion
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1899-1990
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ï 1856-1943
ï Innovations:
± Alternating current
± Wireless power
transmission
experiments at
Wardenclyffe
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ï 1899
± Able to light lamps
over 25 miles away
without using wires
± High frequency
current, of a Tesla
coil, could light lamps
filled with gas (like
neon)




ï World War II developed ability to convert

energy to microwaves using a magnetron, no
method for converting microwaves back to
electricity
ï 1964 William C. Brown demonstrated a
rectenna which could convert microwave
power to electricity
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ï 1940-50¶s Development of the Photovoltaic cell

ï 1958 First US Satellite that used Solar Power

ï 1970¶s Oil embargo brought increased interest

and study
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ï Construct the satellites in space

± Each SPS would have 400 million solar cells
ï Use the Space Shuttle to get pieces to a low
orbit station
ï Tow pieces to the assembly point using a
purpose built space tug (similar to space
shuttle)
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ï More intense sunlight

ï In geosynchronous orbit, 36,000 km (22,369
miles) an SPS would be illuminated over 99%
of the time
ï No need for costly storage devices for when
the sun is not in view.
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ï Waste heat is radiated back into space

ï No air or water pollution is created during

generation



ï Issues identified during the DOE study

± Complexity²30 years to complete
± Size²6.5 miles long by 3.3 miles wide
ï Transmitting antenna ½ mile in
diameter(1 km)
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ï Cost²prototype would have cost $74 billion

ï Microwave transmission
± Interference with other electronic devices
± Health and environmental effects
 


ï †apanese continued to study the idea of SPS

throughout the 1980¶s
ï In 1995 NASA began a Fresh Look Study
± Set up a research, technology, and investment
schedule
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ï SPS could be competitive with other energy

sources and deserves further study
ï Research aimed at an SPS system of 250 MW
ï Would cost around $10 billion and take 20
years
ï National Research Council found the research
worthwhile but under funded to achieve its
goals
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ï Cost of transporting materials into space

ï Construction of satellite
± Space Walks
ï Maintenance
± Routine
± Meteor impacts
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How the power gets

to Earth


 

ï Solar power from the satellite is sent to

Earth using a microwave transmitter
ï Received at a ³rectenna´ located on
Earth
ï Recent developments suggest that power
could be sent to Earth using a laser
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ï Microwave
± More developed
± High efficiency up to 85%
± Beams is far below the
lethal levels of
concentration even for a
prolonged exposure
± Cause interference with
satellite communication
industry
ï Laser
± Recently developed solid
state lasers allow efficient
transfer of power
± Range of 10% to 20%
efficiency within a few
years
± Conform to limits on eye
and skin damage


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ï Microwaves are received with about 85%
efficiency
ï Around 5km across (3.1 miles)
ï 95% of the beam will fall on the rectenna
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ï Project in Development
in †apan
ï Goal is to build a low
cost demonstration
model by 2025
ï 8 Countries along the
equator have agreed to
be the site of a rectenna

O ë 

ï If microwave beams carrying power could be

beamed uniformly over the earth they could
power cell phones
ï Biggest problem is that the antenna would
have to be 25-30 cm square
 

ï Would require a network of hundreds of

satellites
± Air Force currently track 8500 man made objects in
space, 7% satellites
ï Would make telecommunications companies
into power companies

  
ï Ground based solar only ï A network of low orbit
works during clear days,
and must have storage
for night
ï Power can be beamed to
the location where it is
needed, don¶t have to
invest in as large a grid
satellites could provide
power to almost any
point on Earth
continuously because
one satellite would
always be in range
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ï More reliable than ground based solar power

ï In order for SPS to become a reality it several
things have to happen:
± Government support
± Cheaper launch prices
± Involvement of the private sector