Solar Power Beaming: From Space to Earth

Rubenchik, A M ; Parker, J M ; Beach, R J ; Yamamoto, R M

关键词: BEAMS;    CURRENTS;    ECONOMICS;    ENERGY;    HARVESTING;    LASER POWER TRANSMISSION;    LASERS;    ORBITS;    SOLAR COLLECTORS;    SOLAR ENERGY;    SPACE;    SUPPORTS;   

DOI  :  10.2172/952766
RP-ID  :  LLNL-TR-412782
PID  :  OSTI ID: 952766
Others  :  TRN: US201002%%1489

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

Harvesting solar energy in space and power beaming the collected energy to a receiver station on Earth is a very attractive way to help solve mankind's current energy and environmental problems. However, the colossal and expensive 'first step' required in achieving this goal has to-date stifled its initiation. In this paper, we will demonstrate that recent advance advances in laser and optical technology now make it possible to deploy a space-based system capable of delivering 1 MW of energy to a terrestrial receiver station, via a single unmanned commercial launch into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Figure 1 depicts the overall concept of our solar power beaming system, showing a large solar collector in space, beaming a coherent laser beam to a receiving station on Earth. We will describe all major subsystems and provide technical and economic discussion to support our conclusions.