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Development of space solar power

Development of space solar power

Japanese animated series “Mobile Suit Gundam”, the depletion of fossil fuels force the shift of human space-based solar energy development, a new focus of global conflict. In the science fiction world, the background of this era set in 2307. However, the real world, Japanese scientists have now set out to develop rail-related hardware, power generation facilities, as a new, renewable clean energy, is expected to be completed within 20 years.

From space using solar panels, “download” the concept of energy has long existed, it seems impractical because high cost. In Japan, the global energy crisis and environmental concerns for the viability of the plan does not seem to be taken seriously again, last year, Institute of Laser Technology in Osaka produced up to 180 watts of solar power laser energy. In February this year, scientists tested the ground in Hokkaido Electric Power Transmission System, will form a microwave energy transmitted to Earth.

Study of laser and microwave together constitute an audacious plan, Japan’s space agency Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency subordinate (JAXA), presided over the space solar power system (SSPS). By 2030, the agency plans to launch a solar generator to the geostationary orbit, the generator will transfer one billion watts of solar energy the Earth, as a large nuclear power plant’s generating capacity. Solar energy will be delivered in the form of microwave or laser, can be converted into commercial power grid, or stored hydrogen.

Japan’s major research institutions have about 180 scientists involved in this project. JAXA Research Center of the High Representative Hiroaki Suzuki said: “We conducted this study is based on the common-sense reasons – will soon run out of fossil fuels, increasing global warming, these problems be solved.” JAXA said the space solar power has obvious advantages : in space, solar radiation is on the ground 5 to 10 times more efficient collection; 24-hour collection, and is not climate; clean, do not produce pollution and waste, safety and reliability. The energy intensity to reach the ground may reach 5 kW per square meter – about mid-latitudes in summer sunny noon to 5 times. Although scientists say that number will not hurt the human body, but to receive the energy area will be isolated and placed in the sea.

JAXA researchers are testing in progress, hard fiber laser was 800 watts at about 500 meters from the station launched, through 1064 nm wavelength filter only the reflection of light directly at the experimental solar panels. (The reason to use this frequency because it can easily just through the Earth’s atmosphere, loss of less than 10%.) Key task now is to find which can effectively convert sunlight to laser materials, the preferred material as containing neodymium and chromium YAG ceramic materials.

Basic research is only part of the project, testing of microwave and laser systems require a large space equipment: film capacitor filters, solar panels and the effective distance of thousands of kilometers of microwave transmission equipment, which total about one million tons. Terrestrial microwave receiving antenna will also have the 2 km long.

The total project cost may be as much as several billion dollars, but Suzuki and his colleagues say they will not total costs: “Our basic Yanjiu completed, we do not know whether it is feasible. Our goal is to produce energy and hydrogen to stabilize the economy estimated price of 6.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. “This is related to the current cost of conventional electricity rather, in the future will have higher economic value.

In accordance with the present level of technology, large-scale equipment to the space can only be transmitted through the national space agency coordination to complete. Suzuki said that although the potential militarization of space, the trend for countries more inclined to independent research and development of space technology, but “if the JAXA, NASA and the European Space Agency can work together, it would be the best.” Although this all sounds more Prelude like science fiction.

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