| Popis: |
This paper continues work on an evolutionary, revenue-generating approach to Space Solar Power. In previous work, a 3-stage, self-sustaining program was proposed, that enables growth to full Space Solar power in 20 to 30 years. The approach is to rst use a constellation of spacecraft in sun-synchronous orbits as a microwave power grid connecting renewable energy plants situated around the world. This step generates revenue primarily from the large temporal and geographic variations in cost and supply of electric power. It enables location of new renewable power plants in remote locations, and minimizes reserve needs for baseload qualication. In a second phase, replacements for the rst generation satellites would incorporate converters from solar power to microwave beams, followed by placement of large ultralight collectors in high orbits to beam sunlight directly to the converters. Recent developments have improved options in the near millimeter wave regime. In this paper, the Phase 1 architecture is altered to investigate the minimum power level at which the system will pay for itself in 30 years. Cost estimates are related to the published literature and shown to be conservative. Parameter choices are systematically related to the Net Present Value. |
