Comparative assessment of environmental welfare issues associated with the satellite power system (SPS) and alternative technologies

Technical Report · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5496596· OSTI ID:5496596

Levine, E. P.; Senew, M. J.; Cirillo, R. R.

Environmental deterioration can affect an individual's health, safety, and welfare (examples of welfare effects include reduced crop yield, loss of property, and interference with other activities). This study identifies sources of environmental deterioration and associated welfare effects from two mature electric power generation systems (combustion of coal and light water nuclear reactors) and compares these with those expected from a conceptual satellite power system. Each activity within the energy pathway for each power system is examined to determine the potential welfare effects it imposes on a community. The severities of these effects are compared. On the basis of this comparison and the state of knowledge concerning specific environmental impacts and welfare effects, key environmental issues are identified for subsequent, in-depth analyses.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5496596
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER-0055
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140400 -- Solar Energy-- Environmental Aspects
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200200 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste Management
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220500 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Environmental Aspects
AESTHETICS
AIR POLLUTION
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EQUIPMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUEL CYCLE
FUELS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LAND USE
MICROWAVE RADIATION
NOISE
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
POWER SUPPLIES
PUBLIC HEALTH
RADIATIONS
REACTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLID WASTES
THERMAL POLLUTION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER POLLUTION