Over the past one decade or so, the versatility in the ways in which we have harnessed and used solar power has been magnanimous. And, now researchers, who have been toiling hard to develop a reliable power beaming solar power satellite, might have that transformational technology and sustainable energy solution that will bring about all desired changes. In the past, factors like huge costs, complexity in implementation and energy economics detracted all efforts, but a new approach, SPS-ALPHA (Solar Power Satellite via Arbitrarily Large Phased Array) has entered the picture to establish the foundations for a practical solar power satellite.
A team from Artemis Innovation Management Solutions of Santa Maria, headed by John Mankins will conduct select proof of concept experiments and review the mechanisms of the working of SPS-ALPHA. It is based on the concept of biomemetics and will help in reducing costs considerably. There will be no need for an elaborate power management system or distribution system. The solar power satellite will be assembled from individual system elements, weighing 110 to 440 pounds. This will allow mass production at dramatically reduced costs.
SPS-ALPHA will have a large number of thin film mirrors on its curved surface. These movable mirrors will incept and redirect sunlight toward photovoltaic cells on the backside of the array. The earth facing side of the array is tilted and is fixed with microwave power transmission panels. These panels will generate a low intensity beam of radio frequency energy that will be transmitted to the earth.
Perceivably, if the project is successful, it will pave way for constructing various platforms made from thousands of individual elements, delivering thousands of megawatts of power through wireless transmission.
Via: Mothernaturenetwork
