Science-fiction has a lot to answer for; its because of sci-fi writers that were still waiting for flying cars and the ability to teleport to destinations in seconds. Then there are ideas that sound like science-fiction but are, in fact, very much grounded in reality. This one in particular entails capturing solar energy in space and beaming it down to Earth for almost immediate use wherever and whenever its needed.
Apparently the idea has been around since 1968 but limited technology, not to mention limited funds, meant that not an awful lot could be done about it. These days, with technology being what it is and the need to find alternative forms of energy paramount, space-based solar power (SBSP) is increasingly viable.
According to that fount of information, Wikipedia, the amount of solar energy that reaches Earths orbit is 144% than that which finally makes it to Earths surface. So straight away we have a good reason for setting up solar panels in space. The other incredibly obvious advantage is that a solar power satellite (SPS) is exposed to the sun for almost 24 hours at a time and is not affected by assorted weather phenomena.
Then there is the fact that the energy gained doesnt have to be stored. Instead it is beamed down directly to a receiver antenna, which, once again according to Wikipedia, will consist of several short dipole antennae connect by diodes. These rectennae would span many kilometres. From here solar energy would be converted into electrical energy and sent to local towns and industries where it is needed.
The advantage of the rectennae is that while they span a great distance they are high up in the air and are quite thin, so normal life can continue below.
Energy beamed to Earth
The question of how to get the energy from the /wiki/Space-based_solar_power">solar power satellite to Earth is an interesting one, and the answer is wireless power transmission. There are two forms of wireless power transmission that could potentially be used:
Microwave power transmission: Experiments in microwave power transmission have been conducted since the early 1960s, with the most recent successful project being the transmission of solar energy from a mountain in Maui to the main island of Hawaii. The distance travelled was 92 miles, which somewhat shy of the thousands of miles that need to be covered between a satellites orbit and the Earths surface. But it proves that the theory is sound and the technology is well on its way. Laser power beams: Laser power beaming is NASAs baby. The space agency began working on the technology in the 1980s when colonising space was still something of a priority. It began work on the SELENE (SpacE Laser ENErgy) project in 1991, with the intention of possibly beaming laser power to a lunar base. SELENE was abandoned owing to escalating costs, but, once again, the theory is sound.
In an enormous leap of faith, one San Francisco-based company, Pacific Gas & Electric, has committed itself to purchasing 200 megawatts of SBSP from Solaren Corp starting in 2016. Its Solarens intention to launch solar panels into orbit and convert solar energy into radio-frequency transmissions back to Earth. Solaren is supremely confident in its ability to deliver and is in the process of looking for more pioneering clients. Will you be one of them?
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