Wireless Power Transmission Via Solar Satellite (SPS)

HistoryThe inventor of WPT is “Nikola Tesla” he manage to light 200 lamps at a time from 40 kms at Wardenclyffe in 1890’s.

• World war 2 developed ability convert energy to microwaves using magnetrons & 1964 William C.Brown Demonstrated a rectna which could convert microwaves power to electricity.

In 1968 idea of SPS proposed by “Peter Glaser”.

• Idea gained momentum during the oil crises of 1970’s but after prices stablizied idea was dropped.

A major problem facing planet Earth is provision of an adequate

supply of clean energy.It has been that we face three

simultaneous challenges. 1)Environmental

degradation

2)population growth

3)Resource consumption

Hense, a major task for the new century will be to develop

sustainable & environmentally friendly source of energy.

Solar power provides a source that is virtually carbon free &

sustainable.

What is SPS???

Solar Power Satellites would be located in the geosynchronous orbit.The solar energy collected by an SPS would be converted into electricity,

then into microwaves.  where they would be received and converted back into

electricity by a large array of devices known as rectifying antenna or rectenna.(Rectification is the process by which alternating electrical current ,such as that

induced by a microwave beam , is converted to direct current).

This direct current can then be converted to 50 or 60 Hz alternating current .

Why to use SPS ???

There is no air in space so, the satellite would receive somewhat more intense sunlight unaffected by weather.The SPS concept is simpler than most power system here on the earthSolar radiation can be more efficiently collected in space where it is roughly three times stronger than on the earth & it can be collected 24 hours per day.Since there are no clouds or night in high earth orbit.SPS does not use up valuable surface area on the earth.

Construction of SPS

Each SPS would have been

massive; measuring 10.5 km long

and

5.3 km wide or with an average

area of 56 sq.km.

The surface of each

satellite would have been covered

with 400 million solar cells.

The transmitting antenna on the

satellite would have been about 1

km in diameter

and the receiving antenna on the

Earth’s surface would have been

about 10 km in

diameter The SPS would weight more than 50,000 tons. 

5,000 MW Receiving Station (Rectenna)

•Microwaves are received with about 85% efficiency

•Around 5km across (3.1 miles)

•95% of the beam will fall on the rectenna

Rectenna

Practical Example of SPS

Japan is definitely getting in on the action with its latest spacey plan – a $21 billion solar-powered generator in the heavens to produce one gigawatt of energy, or enough to power 294,000 homes.

Advantages

Unlimited energy resourceEnergy delivered anywhere in the world

Zero fuel cost

Zero Co2 emission

Solar radiation can be more efficiently collected in space

Waste heat is radiated back in to space

No air or water pollution created during the power generation

Concept is simpler than any other most power systems on the Earth.

Space gets full power 24 hours a day

No effect of storms,no cloudy season,no long winter nights

Disadvantages

Launch costWould require a network of hundreds of satellite

Interfacing with communication satellite

The size of antennas & rectenna

Complexity -long year to complete

Size -6.5 miles long by 3.3 miles wide

Conclusion

SPS is still more expensive than ground based solar power & other energy sources.yet even now,a small SPS system could be economically justified to provide unavailable emergency power for natural disaster situations.urban blackout & satellite power failures

For WPT via SPS to become reality require

Government support Cheaper Launch prices Involvement of private sector