Evaluation and comparison of space solar power concepts

Feingold, H.; Carrington, Connie

doi:10.1016/s0094-5765(03)80016-4

Cited by 23 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…In order to appreciate the simplicity of the concept described here, one needs to compare it with the earlier Integrated Symmetric Concentrator Space Power Satellite (ICS SPS) shown in figure 11 and described by Feingold and Carrington [4]. That concept has 2 x 42 large mirror arrays focusing sunlight onto a center satellite body where there are solar cell arrays that receive the sunlight and convert it into electricity and then into a microwave beam that then the SPS sends energy to a special earth ground station to be converted into electricity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sunbeams from mirrors in dawn-dusk orbit for earth solar power fields

Fraas¹

2013

AIP Conference Proceedings

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Abstract:There are two problems limiting solar electric power. The amount of sunlight is limited and there is no sunlight during peak demand in the evening hours. These problems can be addressed by placing light weight mirror satellite constellations in sun synchronous dawn to dusk low earth orbits in space at an altitude of 1000 km. These satellites can deflect sunbeams down to an array of solar power stations distributed near major population centers around the earth. These solar PV earth stations are already being built. The additional solar energy provided in the early morning and evening hours can potentially reduce the cost of solar electricity at the ground sites to less than 6 cents per kWh. Herein, a specific mirror satellite design concept is proposed with the idea that if one practical mirror satellite can be built, it then can be replicated as many times as required for a specific mission. The proposed mirror satellite is comprised of a lightweight thin aluminized mirror membrane stretched flat by three radial spokes telescoping out from a central body. Control moment gyros similar to those used in the International Space Station (ISS) are mounted inside the central body of the mirror satellite for attitude control and sunbeam pointing. The three spokes collapse and the mirror membrane is folded such that several of these mirror satellites can potentially be stowed inside the fairing of today's available rockets for launch and deployment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sunbeams from mirrors in dawn-dusk orbit for earth solar power fields

Fraas¹

2013

AIP Conference Proceedings

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“…There are 3 different LEO launch cost references. There is the near term Falcon Heavy [7] or an estimate used in the NASA SPS study [4] assuming more frequent launches or a revolutionary system proposed in an Air Force Research Lab study [8]. Given that launch costs should be less with reusable launch vehicles and frequent standard launch procedures, the NASA estimate of $400 per kg will be used here.…”

Section: Economicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ehricke assumed that the 1200 sq km solar field would produce electricity at 15% efficiency implying a 180 GW central power station which then implies enormous distribution problems. While this Power Soletta concept was intriguing, given the problems just described, NASA has focused much more attention over the subsequent years on the Space Power Satellite (SPS) concept [3,4]. A recent version (2003) of this SPS concept is shown in Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mirrors in space for low-cost terrestrial solar electric power at night

Fraas

2012

2012 38th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference

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A constellation of 18 mirror satellites is proposed in a polar sun synchronous dawn to dusk orbit at an altitude of approximately 1000 km above the earth. Each mirror satellite contains a multitude of 2 axis tracking mirror segments that collectively direct a sun beam down at a target solar electric field site delivering a solar intensity to that terrestrial site equivalent to the normal daylight sun intensity extending the sunlight hours at that site at dawn and at dusk each day. Each mirror satellite in the constellation consists of a linear string of mirror elements and each terrestrial solar electric field site has a 10 km diameter and can produce approximately 5 GW per terrestrial site. Assuming that in 10 years, there will be approximately 40 terrestrial solar electric field sites evenly distributed in sunny locations near cities around the world, this system can produce more affordable solar electric power during the day and further into the morning and evening hours. The typical operating hours or power plant capacity factor for a terrestrial solar electric power site can thus be extended by about 30%. Assuming a launch cost of $400/kg as was assumed in a recent NASA Space Power Satellite study for future launch costs, the mirror constellation pay back time will be less than 1 year. A logical continuation of this space mirror satellite concept can potentially lead to solar electric power at a cost under 6 ¢ per kWh.

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“…1. It is 5 x 15 km in size , and requires a ground station 8 km in diameter [2]. The size, mass, and power levels of this orbital system makes the proposed SPS extremely expensive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mirror satellites in polar orbit beaming sunlight to terrestrial solar fields at dawn and dusk

Fraas

Landis

Palisoc

2013

2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC)

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Large terrestrial solar electric power fields are being built around the world. However, sunlight is only available during normal daylight hours but not in the evenings. If lightweight mirrors can be deployed in space in a sunsynchronous dawn/dusk orbit, these mirrors can reflect sunlight down to these terrestrial solar farms to provide solar electricity in the evening and early morning, extending the field operating hours and reducing the cost of solar electric power. The idea of mirrors in space reflecting sunlight to earth is not new. What is new here is the idea of a constellation of 18 mirror array satellites in a 1000 km high sun-synchronous dawn/dusk orbit in combination with multiple 5-GW solar farms distributed around the world. In this scenario, the projected payback time for the mirror constellation given the additional revenues from the multiple solar fields is approximately 2 years.

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Evaluation and comparison of space solar power concepts

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

Sunbeams from mirrors in dawn-dusk orbit for earth solar power fields

Sunbeams from mirrors in dawn-dusk orbit for earth solar power fields

Mirrors in space for low-cost terrestrial solar electric power at night

Mirror satellites in polar orbit beaming sunlight to terrestrial solar fields at dawn and dusk

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