Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Power from Space?
A study released by the National Security Space Office says that space-based solar-power systems could be built within several decades.
By Brittany Sauser
"Can the United States and partners enable the development and deployment of a space-based solar power system within the first half of the 21st Century such that if constructed could provide affordable, clean, safe, reliable, sustainable, and expandable energy for its consumers?"
That's the fundamental question the National Security Space Office (NSSO) asked in an online collaborative forum that included 170 academic, scientific, technical, legal, and business experts from around the world. The discussion took place over a five-month period, during which the NSSO gathered and organized information pertaining to the feasibility of space-based solar. The results of the study were released on October 10.
The study concluded "that while the business case for SBSP cannot be closed for construction to begin in 2007, the technical feasibility of the concept has never been better and all science and technology development vectors appear to indicate that there is credible potential for SBSP to be built within a strategically relevant period of time."
It has been more than a decade since a study by a U.S. government agency examined the feasibility of space-based solar power, a concept that was first brought to the government's attention in the 1960s.
From that earlier study:
The basic idea is very straightforward: place very large solar arrays into continuously and intensely sunlit Earth orbit (1,366 watts/m2), collect gigawatts of electrical energy, electromagnetically beam it to Earth, and receive it on the surface for use either as baseload power via direct connection to the existing electrical grid, conversion into manufactured synthetic hydrocarbon fuels, or as low-intensity broadcast power beamed directly to consumers.
Increasing oil prices and expanding populations have brought the development of alternative energy sources to the forefront of governmental concerns. The NSSO study recommends that while several major challenges need to be overcome, such as low-cost space access and supporting infrastructure on Earth and in space, the U.S government should continue research in this field and encourage the development of space-based solar power.
Images Credit NSSO
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Comments
Think, Whole House Performance
andyenergy
10/29/2007
Posts:1
levit8r
10/29/2007
Posts:4
djs
10/29/2007
Posts:23
levit8r
10/29/2007
Posts:4
rrbv
10/30/2007
Posts:2
rrbv
10/30/2007
Posts:2
dmm
11/01/2007
Posts:174
dmm
11/01/2007
Posts:174
To: Presidente Calderon
To: Senator Dianne
To: vice_president@whitehouse.gov
Cc: comments@whitehouse.gov
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2007 12:09 AM
Subject: be aware of CLIMATE CHANGE TRUE FACTS
GLOBAL WARMING DUE TO GREEN HOUSE EFFECT IS FALSE.
- It is a tricky sentence from Petro-oriented-men that want us to believe in, TO CONFUSE EVERY BODY- and you too.
- IT IS A CRAISY IDEA to send satelite MIRRORS to BLIND AND REDUCE incoming solar energy to avoid climate change -due to a mitic green house effect-.... Sun has never been harmfull to Earth....... Sun Radiation is in a perfect Thermal Equilibrium with Earth ever since.... is`nt it so?............ we Humans are the danger to the planet.
REAL CAUSES of global warming:
Real causes are down here, where HUGE amounts of waisted heat from more than 6 billions tons of hot gases -per year- are generated while burning fuels -from our motor vehicles, water heaters, boilers, thermoelectric generators, driers, ranges, ovens, etc-. We dont have to be scientist to understand a math equation, which evidence that the problem results from the extra added heat -we humans put in to atmosphere-:
IR sun energy + extra waisted heat from burning fuels = atmosphere overheating
= more evaporation = denser clouds = flooding storms = polar deice = actual kaoz
- Do you know what happens now that petroleum XX century is gone ......very simple.....the depleted AND EXPENSIVE petroleum will go down to 1 dollar per barrel and petroleum industry will crack....... once in XXI century we replace all fuels-WITH CLEAN NATURAL SOLAR ENERGY?- that is free, so peaple can save money to buy many thing else -as an electric car -and so on----- politically impossible?....IT SEEM LIKE FICTION MOVIE….....but remember that sun is not a problem -it is the best solution-
TWO SOLUTIONS:
1. Urge to replace all combustion devices, equipments and engines -WITH SOLAR AND ELECTRIC POWERED ONES-.
2. As well as urgent is to reforest the world with billions of trees – they are magic factories that will clean air from CO2, by:
Sucking CO2 + Absorbing solar UV and solar heat = to return us pure and fresh OXIGEN -instead-
Trees never heat the air -so- the craisy green house effect does not happen -that's a lie-
As PETRO-dependants, We are cooking our selve's in this global pot, due to a PETRO-effect.
HOW YOU CAN HELP? :
- I urge any body who has responsability of enviromental care and have funds -you must support any projects where products (vehicles or equipments) pursue this change over -to a new solar and electric eco-culture-.
-I urge Presidents all -to issue compulsory regulations to stop using any apparatus, device or engines where combustion of fuels take place -of any hidrocarbons (liquid or gas) alcohols, biofuels, carbons or hidrogen too- because all react exothermicaly generating the hot gases that over-heat the air -depleting oxigen O2 and ozone O3 as well while they burn to CO2 -which excess is getting a letal concentration level, too-.
- Now, I hope you understand it better -the real global warming problem- & communicate it to all your friends -what is going on- to become more that GREEN peaple -but co-responsible ECOLOGY ORIENTE PEAPLE- don't relay on heaven help, only. PLEASE STOP BURNIG FUELS.
jose ma jimenez, Senior Chem. Eng, MS from UMass,
Zapopan, jal. Mexico
chema
11/17/2007
Posts:4