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2 Background
2 Solar Power Satellite
2 Microwave Power Transmission
2 Current Designs
2 Conclusion
  

1940-Present


 


2 orld ar II developed ability to convert

energy to microwaves using a magnetron, no
method for converting microwaves back to
electricity
2 1964 illiam C. Brown demonstrated a
rectenna which could convert microwave
power to electricity
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2 1968¶s idea for Solar Power Satellites

proposed by Peter Glaser
± ould use microwaves to transmit power to Earth
from Solar Powered Satellites
2 Idea gained momentum during the Oil Crises of
1970¶s, but after prices stabilized idea was
dropped
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2 More intense sunlight

2 In geosynchronous orbit, 36,000 km (22,369
miles) an SPS would be illuminated over 99%
of the time
2 No need for costly storage devices for when
the sun is not in view
×   

2 aste heat is radiated back into space

2 Power can be beamed to the location where it
is needed
2 No air or water pollution is created during
generation
 


2 Issues identified during the DOE study

± Complexity²30 years to complete
± Size²6.5 miles long by 3.3 miles wide
2 Transmitting antenna ½ mile in
diameter(1 km)
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2 Possible power generation of 5 to 10 gigawatts

£

   
      
    
    
    






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2 Cost of transporting materials into space

2 Construction of satellite
± Space alks
2 Maintenance
± Routine
± Meteor impacts
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ow the power gets

to Earth
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2 Solar power from the satellite is sent to

Earth using a microwave transmitter
2 Received at a ³rectenna´ located on
Earth
2 Recent developments suggest that power
could be sent to Earth using a laser
{  

2 6requency 2.45 Gz microwave beam

2 Power level is well below international
safety standard
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³An antenna comprising a mesh of dipoles and diodes for

absorbing microwave energy from a transmitter and
converting it into electric power.´
2 Microwaves are received with about 85%
efficiency
2 Around 5km across (3.1 miles)
2 95% of the beam will fall on the rectenna
Î!!!"#$
% 
&$' (  
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2 Size
± Miles across
2 Location
± Aesthetic
± Near population center
2 ealth and environmental side effects
± Although claim that microwaves or lasers
would be safe, how do you convince people
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2 Project in Development
in Japan
2 Goal is to build a low
cost demonstration
model by 2025
2 8 Countries along the
equator have agreed to
be the site of a rectenna
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2 Ground based solar only 2 Advantages of SPS over

works during clear days, traditionally used Solar
and must have storage Power
for night
2 Power can be beamed to
the location where it is
needed.
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2 More reliable than ground based solar power

2 In order for SPS to become a reality it several
things have to happen:
± Government support
± Cheaper launch prices
± Involvement of the private sector
2 TANK YOU