A Paradigm Shift for Space-Based Solar Power
Team Report / Jun 27, 2013
The first of these is a report about a collaboration begun in 2010 by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of the Republic of India and Mr. Mark Hopkins, executive committee chairman of the US based National Space Society (NSS) which has led to an initiative called “Space Solar Power: Key to a Livable Planet Earth” that has the potential of solving humanity’s energy needs and greatly mitigating climate change. A recent announcement by these partners was made about this SBSP initiative to promote the idea of an economically and technically viable space-based solar power infrastructure to government leaders around the world. Plans are to approach those leaders attending the G8 conference in Ireland seeking further collaboration and support.
Space-Based
Solar Power is the concept of collecting solar power in space using an SPS -
Solar Power Satellite - or a Satellite Power System - for use on Earth. It has
been in research since the early 1970s. SBSP would differ from current terrestrial solar
collection methods in that the means used to collect energy would reside on an
orbiting satellite instead of on Earth's surface. Some projected benefits of
such a system are a higher collection rate and a longer collection period due
to the lack of a diffusing atmosphere and nighttime in space. Basically it
would be 24x7 x 365 energy system.
SBSP designs generally include the use of some manner of wireless power
transmission. The collecting satellite would convert solar energy into
electrical energy on board, powering a microwave transmitter or laser emitter,
and focus its beam toward a collector (rectenna) on the Earth's surface. The
energy received would then be fed into the power grid.
Besides the cost of implementing such a system, one hurdle has been the sheer mass of the hardware in space necessary to create a viable and economically feasible SBSP system. In most previous studies, thousands of tons of hardware would be necessary to build just one Solar Power Satellite (SPS) in orbit.
The second development, proposed by long time SBSP advocate John Mankins called SPS-ALPHA, addresses this particular hurdle with a new technological “paradigm”. In a recent NASA funded study, Mankins has come up with a concept that employs vast numbers of identical, modular components, which can be sent up in a series of rocket launches. He states that although the initial cost for electricity from a modestly sized SPS would be high, the cost would drop significantly as a robotic space-based infrastructure is built up. As this occurs, new standards would emerge, solar cell efficiencies would increase, and the industry would benefit from economies of scale. In short, to make SBSP more economically viable Mankins’ plan would mass produce the modular components of the satellite which would be assembled by robots in orbit.
With some initial and sufficient funding, Mankins predicts a ground based prototype could be built in 2014 and an early prototype could be tested in orbit in the years 2017-2018. About $20 million would be needed to complete this stage. Within a decade a 10 Mw (megawatts) pilot system could be placed in geosynchronous Earth orbit. The cost to reach this stage would only be several billion dollars. This prototype plant would continuously deliver megawatts of power to the ground at a couple of dollars per kilowatt-hour. Once the system is perfected, initial solar power satellites could be capable of generating 200 to 500 Mw of power and, as the system matures, an SPS with a power generating output of several Gw (gigawatts) would be possible
Mankins states: “If we can harvest and deliver a tiny fraction of the solar energy that passes by earth constantly, Space Solar Power would be able to provide a significant share of humanity’s energy requirements, and to do so essentially forever. The concept of Space Solar Power could become a critically important piece in solving the world's energy challenges.”
In a recent speech, Dr. Kalam also calls for a "paradigm shift” because the present capabilities of major space faring nations are not optimally utilized. Nations should work together to bring the benefits of space to humanity as a whole because harvesting solar power in space would upgrade the living standard of the human race.
“Fundamental parameters for prosperity and peace include trade and economics, security, health and sustained, ever continuing education of humanity. These four parameters connect the world with a compounding positive effect, meaning that well-being of one nation on these parameters imply the well-being of every other nation as well.”
"Humanity needs a great vision to forget all the conflicts and move towards a common goal of peace and prosperity for all the global citizens. We visualize the birth of world vision leading to "livable planet Earth". This vision will be greater than any other vision so far envisioned by humanity".
Dr. Kalam is confident that he can find the necessary support within the present Indian government. With this joint initiative the NSS will surely continue its lobbying efforts in the US. Both nations have space capabilities but a consortium of international partners would create a lot more momentum. Mankins' SPS-Alpha concept has pointed out a possible technological roadmap.
The world needs plentiful and inexpensive energy to meet the growing
needs of a growing population in order to make life more comfortable, peaceful and
prosperous for everyone on the planet. Plentiful energy which is also environmentally friendly is also necessary to address the serious environmental
and economic problems that our society is facing.
The knowledge and the technological capabilities are present and evolving. Creative new initiatives and collaborations are emerging. This “paradigm shift” is called The Space Option.
Kalam - NSS Space based Solar Power Initiative
Space Solar Power: Key to a Livable Planet Earth
Address to the students of Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management
John Mankins: SPS-Alpha:
A new paradigm for space-based solar power
