Jul 23, 2017, 12.07 PM IST
Sunny days ahead
Nasa has announced it will test a new flexible solar panel on the International Space Station which, among other things, can be used as part of a system to capture solar power in space for use on earth. Might sound fantastic, but power generated in space may not be that far away.
Reuters
24/7 power Since clouds, atmosphere and nighttime are absent in space, satellite-based solar panels would be able to transmit way more energy than terrestrial solar panels.
Abundant & under-utilised
Every hour, more solar energy reaches the Earth than humans use in a year. About 30% of this energy is reflected back into space by the atmosphere.
How it will work
Self-assembling satellites are launched into space, along with reflectors and a microwave or laser power transmitter.
(3) Reflectors or inflatable mirrors spread over a vast swath of space direct solar radiation onto solar panels. Panels convert solar power into either a microwave or a laser, and beam uninterrupted power down to earth.
(4) On earth, power-receiving stations collect the beam and add it to the electric grid.
(3) Reflectors or inflatable mirrors spread over a vast swath of space direct solar radiation onto solar panels. Panels convert solar power into either a microwave or a laser, and beam uninterrupted power down to earth.
(4) On earth, power-receiving stations collect the beam and add it to the electric grid.
BCCL
Microwave vs Laser
The two most commonly discussed designs for SSP are space microwave transmitting satellites and smaller, nearer laser transmitting satellites. Microwave has steady, uninterrupted transmission, even through rain, clouds, etc. It can provide up to 1GW energy, enough to power a large city.
However, the entire production cost would be in billions of dollars. The set up requires massive solar reflectors and a terrestrial receiver several kilometers in diameter.
However, the entire production cost would be in billions of dollars. The set up requires massive solar reflectors and a terrestrial receiver several kilometers in diameter.
Reuters
Is Laser better
Laser setup involves relatively low start-up cost. Can be closer to earth’s surface. Also, weight a fraction of microwave satellites, hence easier to launch. Low power of 1 to 10MW per satellite means multiple satellites needed. Also, they will face trouble beaming through rain/clouds.
Laser setup involves relatively low start-up cost. Can be closer to earth’s surface. Also, weight a fraction of microwave satellites, hence easier to launch. Low power of 1 to 10MW per satellite means multiple satellites needed. Also, they will face trouble beaming through rain/clouds.
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