Evaluate satellite solar power systems
The US Department of Energy is in the second year of a three-year, $15.6 million study of a concept in which dozens of satellites would circle the earth in orbits 35,000 km above the equator, with each orbit matched to the earth's rotation. Solar energy would be converted to electricity, then to microwaves, and beamed to earth. B. LaMar, head of Argonne's effort points out that no hard designs have been completed. However, a rough draft calls for each satellite to deliver 5000 Mw of power to the earth. The completed satellite would use about 90 sq km of solar cells. On the ground, a microwave antenna occupying about 130 sq km would convert the transmitted microwave energy into electricity for distribution to consumers. An estimated 6 to 7% of the solar energy falling on the satellite would reach the distribution system as electricity. Questions need to be answered concerning environmental effects, possible social and international impacts, costs, benefits over other power systems, effects of weightlessness and radiation on space workers, and possible interference with communications or computer systems. Lasers also have been considered for beaming down the energy.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL
- OSTI ID:
- 6334453
- Journal Information:
- Mech. Eng.; (United States), Vol. 101:10
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
MICROWAVE POWER TRANSMISSION
ANL
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DESIGN
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTRICITY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EVALUATION
HEALTH HAZARDS
LASER POWER TRANSMISSION
LASERS
PERSONNEL
POWER SYSTEMS
SATELLITES
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR RADIATION
US DOE
WEIGHTLESSNESS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HAZARDS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
POWER TRANSMISSION
RADIATIONS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
STELLAR RADIATION
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems