Solar power directly from space may arrive sooner than you think. Solar plant in space gets goahead the new york times. Spacebased solar power sbsp ppt design spacebased solar power essentially consists of three elements. Space based solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in outer space and distributing it to earth. Sbsp would differ from current solar collection methods in that the means used to collect energy would reside on an orbiting satellite instead of on earths surface. For a small power installation and where space constraints are important, other type of batteries such as nicd, nimh, or liion can be used. Similar to landbased solar, the floating installations qualify for federal and local grant and incentive programs. Recently popular science reported on a modern approach to building space based solar energy stations. Nasa in simple terms, we would put some mechanism in outer space to capture the suns energy almost continuously and transmit that energy to earth. Pdf space solar power ssp, also known as spacebased solar. Mar 18, 2017 spacebased solar power sbsp in which satellites in earth orbit capture the suns radiation, convert it to electricity and then transmit it back to earth in the form of either microwaves. Spacebased solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in space using an sps, that is, a solarpower satellite or a satellite power system for use on earth. A solar thermal power plant was already constructed close to cairo at the beginning of the 20th century. Solar pv power generation system detailed project report solar pv power generation system detailed project report for 20.
Unlike, coal, oil, or natural gas based power plants. What makes spacebased solar power more promising than solar farms on earth is that it is not subjected to irregular solar irradiation due to fluctuating weather conditions and the cycle of day and night, and thus can receive light form the sun nearly all the time. Sahara desert is sufficient in order to meet the worlds electricity requirements with solar thermal power plants. Space based solar power will happen whether we crack cold fusion, or whether we suddenly go to 80% efficiency on ground based solar power currently its only at 50%, sage continued. Using parabolic mirrors, the power plant captured and concentrated solar energy and used it to heat oil for boiling water. The largest solar power plants, like the 354 mw segs, are concentrating solar thermal plants, but recently multi megawatt photovoltaic plants have been built. Spacebased solar power system home page for the georgia. It is available directly as solar isolation and indirectly as wind energy. Space and ground based large scale solar power plants a. The united states and the world need to find new sources of clean energy. The use of solar cells to harness energy has increased exponentially in the last 15 years among developed countries, and many on the frontier of the solar industry argue that space based solar power ssp represents the next breakthrough in solar technology. Power plants which use the solar energy hereinafter referred to as.
Pdf many people associate solar energy directly with photovoltaics and not with solar thermal power generation. In the future, vast solar power satellites may beam energy to the earth from space. The companys goal is to deliver 200 megawatts of base load space solar power by 2016. Introduction a space solar power system ssps is a power generation plant that uses the sunlight abundant in space as a clean, sustainable energy. These types of batteries need a specialized chargerregulator and cannot directly replace leadacid batteries. Vallbracht, 2011 9 proposed that the space based portion of the system should consist. A solar energy collector to convert the solar energy.
This is the first episode in my series resources from space. The plans dreams for space based solar include space based manufacture with space based materials, and bootstrapping. Vallbracht, 2011 9 proposed that the spacebased portion of the system should consist. Spacebased solar power sbsp in which satellites in earth orbit capture the suns radiation, convert it to electricity and then transmit it back to earth in the form of either microwaves. In addition, as the light from the sun passes through the earths atmosphere, a. It is a gigantic satellite designed as an electric power plant orbiting the earth which uses wireless power transmission of space based solar power. Spacebased solar power or sbsp is another way of harnessing the power coming from the sun. Spacebased solar power systems convert sunlight to microwaves outside the atmosphere, avoiding these losses, and the downtime due to earths rotation, experienced by surface installations. The solar power satellites are an integral part of space based. Space based solar power part of the solar energy is lost on its way through the atmosphere by the effects of reflection and absorption. A solar energy collector to convert the solar energy into dc direct current electricity.
Space based solar power would bring numerous benefits over its terrestrial counterparts. Introduction a space solar power system ssps is a powergeneration plant that uses the sunlight abundant in space as a clean, sustainable energy. In march 2007, the national security space offices advanced concepts office presented the idea of space. Controversy flares over spacebased solar power plans.
Potential advantages of collecting solar energy in space include a higher collection rate and a longer collection period due to the lack of a diffusing atmosphere, and the possibility of placing a solar collector in an orbiting location where there is no night. Pdf space based solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting. Solaren was formed in 2001 by a team of space scientists and satellite engineers with extensive experience in the u. About space solar power ssp also known as spacebased solar power, or sbsp. Air force and with major aerospace and defense companies. Spacebased solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in. Solar photovoltaic pv systems an overview for crystalline silicon pv modules, the module efficiency is lower compared to the sum of the component cell efficiencydue to the presence of gaps between the cells and the border around the circuit i.
Spacebased solar power department of energy energy. As such, the barrier to entry from the private sector is high. On earth, powerreceiving stations collect the beam and add it to the electric grid. The development of space solar power system technologies. Mankins and others estimate the total cost for developing, building, launching and assembling all the components of a spacebased solar power plant is. This report discusses the detailed design of a spacebased solar power system, specifically the isi flight demonstrations.
Department of energy carried out serious studies on space based solar power, and over the decades since, various types of solar power satellites spss have been. Spacebased solar power comes closer to reality signal. Solar energy is the most abundant stream of energy. Development of spacebased solar power pilot plant 3114. Spac e ba s ed solar power sbsp is the concept of col lecting solar powe r in out er space and distributing it to earth. The report begins by explaining the scientific theory necessary for understanding the isi design. In a nutshell, space based solar power sbsp is the concept of using satellites in space to capture light from the sun and beam the power back to the earth for use. Space based solar power and other energy pipe dreams. Aside from generating power, the systems also provide other environmental benefits. Solar irradiance is the power per unit area watt per square metre, wm 2, received from the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation as reported in the wavelength range of the measuring instrument. These panels convert solar power into either a microwave or a laser, and beam uninterrupted power down to earth.
Space energy, a switzerlandbased sbsp startup, aims to change that by deploying a prototype orbiter in the next several years, possibly before. A study on spacebased solar power system semantic scholar. Spacebased solar power would bring numerous benefits over its terrestrial counterparts. Mission determine the political, scientific, technical, logistical, and commercial feasibility of space based solar power collection and distribution in the 21st century as a contributing source of clean energy to national power grids and smaller niche applications. While the benefits of spacebased solar power are numerous, there are many drawbacks that make the initial investment in solar projects difficult. Spacebased solar power essentially consists of three functional units. The solar power plant operates on the principle of photovoltaic effect, direct voltage and current are generated in solar cells. A mix of advocates, technologists, and scientists, as well as legal and policy experts, took part in spacebased solar power charting a course for. Oct 16, 2015 space based solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in space, using an sps, that is, a solar power satellite or a satellite power system for use on earth.
New company looks to produce space based solar power. Its potential is 178 billion mw, which is about 20,000 times the world. The concept of solar arrays in space that catch light is still. While the energy department is not actively researching sbsp, we hope youll take a moment to learn about this far out concept. Solar irradiance affects plant metabolism and animal behavior. Mar 05, 2014 spacebased solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in space using an sps, that is, a solarpower satellite or a satellite power system for use on earth. China is planning to send a groundbreaking solar energy plant into space that could provide enough power for every person on earth with minimal environmental impact, according to experts. California regulators on thursday went where no regulators have gone before approving a utility contract for the nations first spacebased solar power plant the 200megawatt orbiting solar farm would convert solar energy collected in space into radio frequency waves, which would be beamed to a ground station near fresno, calif. Plant types and location two types of terrestrial solar power plants are studied. It is a process of collecting solar energy in space and bringing it down for use on earth. Spacebased solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in outer space and distributing it to earth.
Jun 01, 2008 harvesting solar power from space in a new report, the viability of sending solar panels into space to collect a vast quantity of uninterrupted energy has been reinvestigated. How spacebased solar power plants could be built by. Smrrdspvoh 14000238 rr donnelley publishing india private limited. The concept of space based solar power has been around for decades. The department of energy has a website dedicated to the idea of spacebased solar power. Potential advantages of collect ing s olar energ y in space include a higher collection rate and a longer collection period due to the lack of a diffusing atmosphere, and the possibi lity o f plac ing a solar collector in an orbiting location where there is no night. Space solar power advocates may soon get their day in the sun, but one scientist worries that a u. Page 1 of 6 space based solar power for regenerative. Sep 25, 2015 the department of energy has a website dedicated to the idea of space based solar power. Space solar power will provide true energy independence for the nations that develop it, eliminating a major source of national competition for limited earthbased energy resources. Space based solar power essentially consists of three functional units.
A study on spacebased solar power research india publications. If you are familiar with the usual method of solar power collection on the earths surface that makes use of solar panels, sbsp is not that too different. Consist of hybrid wire wireless formations 4 units. Space solar power will provide true energy independence for the nations that develop it, eliminating a major source of national competition for limited earth based energy resources. Solar power harvesting is the conversion of sunlight into electricity using photovoltaics. May 02, 2014 in the future, vast solar power satellites may beam energy to the earth from space. Will spacebased solar power finally see the light of day. Reflectors or inflatable mirrors spread over a vast swath of space, directing solar radiation onto solar panels. Detailed design of a space based solar power system. At the same time, china has plans to launch a space station around 2020, which could lead to an experimental space based solar power station by 2030, followed by a commercial version by 2050. The concept of sbsp has been around for over 40 years and during that time it has become an increasingly realistic possibility. Mar 06, 2014 since its space week, we thought itd be appropriate to look at one promising, but futuristic, idea that could change the face of solar power generation. Solar thermal heating is the result of the whole solar. Solar irradiance is often integrated over a given time period in order to report the radiant energy emitted into the surrounding environment joule per square metre, jm 2, during that time.
Pdf space based solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in space using an sps or, that is, a solar power satellite or a. If it continues to double in use every two to three years, or less, it would become the dominant energy source this century. The concept of the solar power satellite sps is very simple. Spacebased solar power comes closer to reality signal magazine. Department of energy carried out serious studies on spacebased solar power, and over the decades since, various types of solar power satellites spss have been. This report discusses the detailed design of a space based solar power system, specifically the isi flight demonstrations. Space based solar power a solution to the carbon crisis duration. Dec 31, 2018 spacebased solar power is the concept of capturing solar energy in outer space and transferring it directly to earth or other nearby planets. The second story that got my blood boiling was on socalled space based solar power sbsp.
The study and measurement of solar irradiance have several important applications, including the prediction of energy generation from solar power plants, the heating and cooling loads of buildings, and in climate modeling and weather forecasting. One of the major benefits is that the power generation will be clean. As an example, the solar power generating system shades the water and can. The regulator the regulator or more formally, the solar power charge regulator assures. Spacebased solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in space, using an sps, that is, a solarpower satellite or a satellite power system for use on earth. In this project we use the solar energy for generation of. Oneill proposed building them as a way to finance space colonies in the 1970s. Space based solar power solar energy solar power free. Space solar power will not require dependence on unstable or hostile foreign oil providers to meet energy needs, enabling us to expend resources in other ways. Space solar power gathers energy from sunlight in space and transmits it wirelessly to earth. As a result of these factors, a major spacecraft development project can cost many tens, if not hun dreds, of millions of dollars.
Oct 16, 2007 space solar power systems ssps duration. Apr 16, 2009 space energy, a switzerland based sbsp startup, aims to change that by deploying a prototype orbiter in the next several years, possibly before solarens pilot plant reaches orbit. Sun sends out energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation. Spacebased solar power harvesting energy from space. Harvesting solar power from space in a new report, the viability of sending solar panels into space to collect a vast quantity of uninterrupted energy has been reinvestigated. Detailed design of a space based solar power system sjsu. The international energy agency projected in 2014 that by 2050 solar energy would contribute about 16 % of worldwide electricity consumption and it would be. The isi flight demonstration is being developed as either a payload deliverable to the international space station iss or for use on a free flyer spacecraft in low. Since its space week, we thought itd be appropriate to look at one promising, but futuristic, idea that could change the face of solar power generation. A location in the western sahara desert26 n, 14 e with an averaged daily solar irradiance of 280wm2 2,455kwha is considered. First, many cash flow analyses of space solar ventures estimate incredibly high upfront costs, followed by steadily increasing profits.
Solar thermal trough plants and solar towers and 2. Solar pv power generation system detailed project report for. Spacebased solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in space using an sps, that is, a solar power satellite or a satellite power system for use on earth. Space solar power can solve our energy and greenhouse gas emissions problems.