Energy From Space

7/28/2019 Energy From Space

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Name(s) - Pallav AnandAmit SinghMukul Raghav

Institution of study

IIT Roorkee

Email address(s) - [email protected]@[email protected]

contact number(s) - 8266802115

9532922544

8266802228

Name of the cell - Prototype

Topic of paper presentation - SPACE SOLAR POWER

Cogni ids : pallav - COG13/21179

mukul -COG13/17153

amit -COG13/20216
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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SPACE BASED SOLAR POWER

OBJECTIVES OF THIS REPORT

The objectives of this report are to assess the role of solar power from space in bridging our energydeficit and provide a long term solution for affordable and sustainable energy. It also tries to assess the

technological and economic obstacles, risks and feasibility of the project

NEED FOR SPACE BASED SOLAR POWERThese are difficult times we are living in. Our populations are multiplying at a very fast rate and energy

resources are being depleted at even faster rate. The day is not far when we will run out of our coal,

natural gas and petroleum reserves. The renewable resources at our disposal are not sufficient to fulfill

the needs of our growing population and propel the growth of our civilization. So, it is crucial for the

world to identify, develop, and deploy new energy sources which are both sustainable and affordable.

This need is driven by four major causes:

1)ever-increasing population

2)increasing per-capita consumption

3) accumulation of green house gases in our environment

4)depletion of our oil and gas reserves

SPACE BASED SOLAR POWER: PANACEA FOR OUR ENERGY CRISISSpace Based Solar Power can prove to be an elegant solution to our energy crisis. The working principle

of Space Based Solar Power is quite simple: a large solar plate positioned in space in an orbit

continuously collects solar power which is then converted into electricity. This power is then used to

drive a power transmission system which transmits solar power to receivers based on earth. The power

collection is continuous throughout 24 hours and the rays are intense leading to huge collection of

energy which is sustainable and affordable..

Design (SPACE BASED SOLAR POWER PLANT)

SBSP consists of three major components

1)SPACE BASED SOLAR COLLECTOR

Space based collectors consisting of solar cells, solar concentrators, installed heat engines which would

be attached to the orbiting satellite

2)TRANSMITTING ASSEMBLY

Components which transmit solar power collected to earth by using microwave or laser.

3) EARTH BASED RECEIVER

Earth based receivers like microwave antennas which are called rectenna

Parameters of SBSP satellitesOrbital location


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The main benefit from setting up a satellite in geostationary orbit is that keeping the antennas lined up

is easier because the antenna geometry stays constant. The power from SBSP satellite is immediately

available after the power station is placed in orbit. Power stations based in orbits other than

geostationary orbit have longer initiation times for continuous power production.

EARTH BASED RECEIVER Parameters

Earth based receivers (rectenna) would be multiple kilometers across the earth surface and would

consist of short dipole antennas connected via diodes. The efficiency of rectenna would be about 85%

and with this efficiency the microwave would be received.

ADVANTAGES OVER CONVENTIONAL ENERGY METHODS1) Renewable, sustainable source of energy

2) Clean energy

3) Higher rates of collection in space based solar panels as the rays of sun are unaffected by the

dispersion and diffusion by atmospheric gases. Energy generated in space in about 150% of themaximum achievable at earth.

4) At earth the solar panels do not face the sun at all times of the day but orbiting satellites can be

oriented in such a manner that they receive sunlight for 24 hours a day. Satellites exposed to

consistently high degree of solar radiation.

5) The orbiting satellite is not affected by climatic conditions on earth such as clouds, rains, storms,wind

etc. Continous form of energy generation.

6) Elimination ofplant and wildlife interference.

7) Redirectable Power: Power can be redirected to different location on the surface of earth as per

requirement or peak power needs.

DisadvantagesVarious issues in the implementation of Space based Solar Power

1) Higher rates of degradation in space which are about 10 times more than those on Earth. Higher rates

of degradation would lead to higher costs and decreased economic feasibility.

2)All space based satellites are subject to damage by space debris and these can lead to damage and

destruction of large space based solar power systems.

3)Transmission of power through microwave would interfere with existing satellite frequencies and they

have to be isolated from the others. The geostationary orbit is already quite used and this isolation may

be difficult.

4)Technological issues

5)Economic Feasibility

FEASIBILITY AND MARKET ANALYSIS

1) LAUNCH SYSTEM ANALYSIS
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One of the major issues related to SBSP would be the launching costs of satellite carriers. Reuseable

launch systems can be developed to lower costs.

2) TRANSMISSION ANALYSIS

The optical aperture sizes are very large which are required for power beaming from geostationary

power by microwaves. For example, for a microwave beam at 2.45 GHz a 1km diameter transmitting

antenna, and a 10 km diameter receiving rectenna are required.

Safety measuresMicrowave transmission has been a controversial issue in SPS design. At the earth surface amicrowave beam would have an intensity of 23 mW/cm2 at its centre .Over 95% of the energy

carried by the microwave will fall on the rectenna but the remaining energy will be absorbed by

the atmosphere and this will lead to increase in level of microwave radiation around the world.This will have adverse effect on human health and rectennas should not be set up in close

proximity to human settlement

Energy From Space

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