A major problem facing Planet Earth is provision of an adequate supply of clean
energy. It has been that we face "...three simultaneous challenges -- population growth,
resource consumption, and environmental degradation -- all converging particularly in the
matter of sustainable energy supply." It is widely agreed that our current energy practices
will not provide for all the world's peoples in an adequate way and still leave our Earth with a
livable environment. Hence, a major task for the new century will be to develop sustainable and
environmentally friendly sources of energy.
Projections of future energy needs over this new century show an increase by a factor of
at least two and one Half, perhaps by as much as a factor of five. All of the scenarios from
reference 3 indicate continuing use of fossil sources, nuclear, and large hydro. However, the
greatest increases come from "new renewables" and all scenarios show extensive use of these
sources by 2050. Indeed, the projections indicate that the amount of energy derived from new
renewables by 2050 will exceed that presently provided by oil and gas combined. This would
imply a major change in the world's energy infrastructure. It will be a Herculean task to acquire
this projected amount of energy. This author asserts that there are really only a few good
options for meeting the additional energy needs of the new cen
Projections of future energy needs over this new century show an increase by a factor of
at least two and one Half, perhaps by as much as a factor of five. All of the scenarios from
reference 3 indicate continuing use of fossil sources, nuclear, and large hydro. However, the
greatest increases come from "new renewables" and all scenarios show extensive use of these
sources by 2050. Indeed, the projections indicate that the amount of energy derived from new
renewables by 2050 will exceed that presently provided by oil and gas combined. This would
imply a major change in the world's energy infrastructure. This author asserts that there are
really only a few good options for meeting the additional energy needs of the new century in an
environmentally acceptable way.
One of the so-called new renewables on which major reliance is almost certain to be placed
is solar power. Solar power captured on the Earth is familiar to all. However, an alternative
approach to exploiting solar power is to capture it in space and convey it to the Earth by wireless
means. As with terrestrial capture, Space Solar Power (SSP) provides a source that is virtually
carbon-free and sustainable. As will be described later, the power-collecting platforms would
most likely operate in geosynchronous orbit where they would be illuminated 24 hours a day
Thus, unlike systems for the terrestrial capture of solar, a space-based system would not be
limited by the vagaries of the day-night cycle. Furthermore, if the transmission frequency is
properly chosen, delivery of power can be carried out essentially independent of weather
conditions. Thus Space Solar Power could provide base load electricity
BY
T.NAVYA (II-EEE,11H71A0289)
Categories:
TECHNICAL ARTICLES(session-2)
