Satellite power system (SPS). Rectenna siting: availability and distribution of nominally eligible sites
Siting of 60 ground receiving stations (rectennas) for the SPS may pose a problem due to the large area per rectenna (15,000 hectares, 38,000 acres) and numerous siting constraints. This study analyzes areas potentially eligible for rectenna sites by mapping, at a national scale, those conditions which would preclude rectenna construction. These exclusion variables which reflect restricted lands, topography, safety, national policy and electromagnetic (microwave) effects, have been computer encoded and tabulated. Subsequent analysis of the nine electric power planning regions that make up the contiguous states indicate an apparently adequate number of nominally eligible sites in all regions in comparison to projected electrical generation. Eligibility in this context means only that areas were not excluded in this national level analysis; more detailed investigation may reveal purely local constraints or smaller scale exclusions. A second major qualification relates to small isolated eligible areas. Eliminating individual eligible clusters with less than nine times the area of one rectenna eliminates much of the Eastern US; a four-to-one adjacent eligible area test poses no such problem. An independant study of the placement of 60 nominal sites in relation to projected load centers reveals that, even with modest transmission distances, the supply of eligible areas is not a key constraint, except perhaps in the Mid-Atlantic (Electric Reliability) Council Region. Even when several less critical (potential) exclusions are considered, more than 19% of the US is eligible; every region except Mid-Atlantic has at least 50 times an many eligible sites as are required.
- Research Organization:
- Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC01-79ER10041
- OSTI ID:
- 6740362
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/10041-T10
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Satellite power system (SPS) mapping of exclusion areas for rectenna sites
Examination of some hypothetical SPS rectenna sites within the contiguous United States of America. Part I. Precipitation effects on hypothetical SPS sites in the USA. Part II. Point-to-point microwave and service mode communications systems near four hypothetical SPS rectenna sites in the continental United States
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
RECTENNAS
SITE SELECTION
BIRDS
COST
DATA ANALYSIS
DATA PROCESSING
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LAND REQUIREMENTS
LAND USE
MAPPING
MAPS
MIGRATION
POPULATION DENSITY
POWER DEMAND
POWER PLANTS
POWER TRANSMISSION
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
SAFETY
TOPOGRAPHY
USA
ANIMALS
ANTENNAS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
NORTH AMERICA
PROCESSING
RADIATIONS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
VERTEBRATES
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems
140400 - Solar Energy- Environmental Aspects
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)