INTROUCTION to Wireless Power Transmission via Solar Power Satellite
The major problem facing Planet
Earth is provision of an adequate supply of clean energy . It has been that we
face “…three simultaneous challenges — population growth, resource consumption,
and environmental degradation — all converging particularly in the matter of
sustainable energy supply.” It is widely agreed that our current energy practices
will not provide for all the world’s peoples in an adequate way and still leave
our Earth with a livable environment. Hence, a major task for the new century
will be to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly sources of energy.
Earth is provision of an adequate supply of clean energy . It has been that we
face “…three simultaneous challenges — population growth, resource consumption,
and environmental degradation — all converging particularly in the matter of
sustainable energy supply.” It is widely agreed that our current energy practices
will not provide for all the world’s peoples in an adequate way and still leave
our Earth with a livable environment. Hence, a major task for the new century
will be to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly sources of energy.
Projections
of future energy needs over this new century show an increase by a factor of at
least two and one Half, perhaps by as much as a factor of five. All of the scenarios
from reference 3 indicate continuing use of fossil sources, nuclear, and large
hydro. However, the greatest increases come from “new renewables” and
all scenarios show extensive use of these sources by 2050. Indeed, the projections
indicate that the amount of energy derived from new renewables by 2050 will exceed
that presently provided by oil and gas combined. This would imply a major change
in the world’s energy infrastructure. It will be a Herculean task to acquire this
projected amount of energy.
of future energy needs over this new century show an increase by a factor of at
least two and one Half, perhaps by as much as a factor of five. All of the scenarios
from reference 3 indicate continuing use of fossil sources, nuclear, and large
hydro. However, the greatest increases come from “new renewables” and
all scenarios show extensive use of these sources by 2050. Indeed, the projections
indicate that the amount of energy derived from new renewables by 2050 will exceed
that presently provided by oil and gas combined. This would imply a major change
in the world’s energy infrastructure. It will be a Herculean task to acquire this
projected amount of energy.
This author asserts that there are really only a few
good options for meeting the additional energy needs of the new cen Projections
of future energy needs over this new century show an increase by a factor of at
least two and one Half, perhaps by as much as a factor of five. All of the scenarios
from reference 3 indicate continuing use of fossil sources, nuclear, and large
hydro. However, the greatest increases come from “new renewables” and
all scenarios show extensive use of these sources by 2050. Indeed, the projections
indicate that the amount of energy derived from new renewables by 2050 will exceed
that presently provided by oil and gas combined. This would imply a major change
in the world’s energy infrastructure. It will be a Herculean task to acquire this
projected amount of energy. This author asserts that there are really only a few
good options for meeting the additional energy needs of the new century in an
environmentally acceptable way.One
of the so-called new renewables on which major reliance is almost certain to be
placed is solar power.
good options for meeting the additional energy needs of the new cen Projections
of future energy needs over this new century show an increase by a factor of at
least two and one Half, perhaps by as much as a factor of five. All of the scenarios
from reference 3 indicate continuing use of fossil sources, nuclear, and large
hydro. However, the greatest increases come from “new renewables” and
all scenarios show extensive use of these sources by 2050. Indeed, the projections
indicate that the amount of energy derived from new renewables by 2050 will exceed
that presently provided by oil and gas combined. This would imply a major change
in the world’s energy infrastructure. It will be a Herculean task to acquire this
projected amount of energy. This author asserts that there are really only a few
good options for meeting the additional energy needs of the new century in an
environmentally acceptable way.One
of the so-called new renewables on which major reliance is almost certain to be
placed is solar power.
Solar power captured on the Earth is familiar to all. However,
an alternative approach to exploiting solar power is to capture it in space and
convey it to the Earth by wireless means. As with terrestrial capture, Space Solar
Power (SSP) provides a source that is virtually carbon-free and sustainable. As
will be described later, the power-collecting platforms would most likely operate
in geosynchronous orbit where they would be illuminated 24 hours a day (except
for short eclipse periods around the equinoxes). Thus, unlike systems for the
terrestrial capture of solar, a space-based system would not be limited by the
vagaries of the day-night cycle. Furthermore, if the transmission frequency is
properly chosen, delivery of power can be carried out essentially independent
of weather conditions. Thus Space Solar Power could provide base load electricity.
an alternative approach to exploiting solar power is to capture it in space and
convey it to the Earth by wireless means. As with terrestrial capture, Space Solar
Power (SSP) provides a source that is virtually carbon-free and sustainable. As
will be described later, the power-collecting platforms would most likely operate
in geosynchronous orbit where they would be illuminated 24 hours a day (except
for short eclipse periods around the equinoxes). Thus, unlike systems for the
terrestrial capture of solar, a space-based system would not be limited by the
vagaries of the day-night cycle. Furthermore, if the transmission frequency is
properly chosen, delivery of power can be carried out essentially independent
of weather conditions. Thus Space Solar Power could provide base load electricity.