17 September 2008
Space Solar Power
Posted by Cecilia under: Energy .
On September 12, 2008 there was a Long-Distance-Demonstration of Solar-Powered Wireless Power Transmission Technology in Washington, DC. This event was sponsored by the National Space Society.
The premise is that we can gather energy from sunlight in space and transmit it wireless to earth. This method is called SSP, Space Solar Power or Space-Based Solar Power, SBSP.
The most important advantage is the fact that space solar power is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in huge quantities. Daylight, clouds or wind have no impact on generating solar power.
One advantage of SBSP is the elimination of international competition for earth-based energy resources. Even concerns about being dependent of solar collection stations in other nations would be minimized. The bases for the wireless transmission would be installed on each continent, and energy would flow virtually free. To allay fears of disruption, Aerospace research is already active in finding solutions for the problems of energy security.
The next steps toward the realization of SBSP will be to make all required technologies practical and cost competitive. Many of the technologies are already available, for example spacecrafts use solar energy routinely. Wireless power transmission is available too. But there is still the problem of launch vehicles for the transportation of solar panels in space. Somebody will have to foot the bill and coordinate this huge effort.
The large scale construction of solar panels in space is another hurdle that has to be overcome and last but not least the global power transmission issue has to be solved.
Space Solar Power is definitely an interesting development toward clean and free power for the whole world.
3 Comments so far...
Today in Sikantis - September 17, 2008 « Sikantis Says:
17 September 2008 at 12:59 am.
[...] Innovative News - Space Solar Power [...]
Soalr Says:
17 September 2008 at 2:01 am.
Vista Solar currently provides Bay Area solar panel installation, Silicon Valley solar panel installation, solar panel installation, solar panel residential, solar panels residential services to the greater Bay Area.
Total Solar Energy Says:
20 October 2008 at 12:37 pm.
as long as it’s not used as a weapon. i can see it now
