Re: Space Based Solar - was Re: useful analogy

From: william mook (william.mook_at_mokindustries.com)
Date: 09/10/04 

Date: 10 Sep 2004 09:00:54 -0700

bigcat@meeow.co.uk (N. Thornton) wrote in message news:<a7076635.0409100107.63200fc3@posting.google.com>...
> william.mook@mokindustries.com (william mook) wrote in message news:<407c5321.0409091644.296da583@posting.google.com>...
>
> > Inflatable Optics
> >
> > http://www.de.afrl.af.mil/News/2003/03-36.html
> > http://www.nasatech.com/Briefs/Jan01/NPO20952.html
>
> neither addresses the constant rain of very high speed particles in
> space, and how one could maintain inflation in a film structure under
> such conditions.

The Echo satellite series was built around a gas stabilized envelope
(see parallel posting) which gave us valid technical data to size and
assess the longevity of satellites with only the requirement of a
quantity of make-up gas.
>
> Also the max size achieved so far is 1m, not 27km, according to one of
> those refs. I'm sure you have answers, you always do :)

The principles are the same despite the difference in size. Echo was
rather large as the associated posting shows

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictionary/Echo/DI55.htm

>
> > So, we can imagine putting all the pieces together. A 500 metric ton
> > satellite that consists of a disk like balloon that inflates to a
> > diameter of 2.7 km and intercepts 7.7 GW of sunlight. It produces 3.1
> > GW of laser energy which it beams to earth in the form of 3 million
> > beams of 1 KW each. A total of 5 million users are supported at the
> > same time since not all users need full power all the time.
> >
> > Each user on the ground paid $500 for their simple receiver. The $2.5
> > billion more than paid for the satellite, the launch, and the
> > receivers.
> >
> > The 3.1 GW of laser energy is produced 8,766 hours per year. This
> > generates 27.174 billion kWh of energy. At a cost of $0.08 per watt
> > this generates a revenue of $2.1 billion per year! Four years of
> > income is sufficient to pay for the development costs of both the
> > heavy lift launcher AND the supersized satellite it carries.
> >
> > Humanity uses power at the rate of around 5,000 billion watts. So, a
> > 3 billion watt satellite penetrates 1/16th of a percent of the total
> > energy market. Twenty satellites could supply power to 100 million
> > ground stations each 1 kW rating (although only 60 million would be on
> > at once full power). At $500 per ground station this raises $50
> > billion. Enough to pay for the entire system. Again, at $0.08 per
> > watt this generates a revenue of $42 billion per year.
>
>
> I have some questions.
>
> Average power delivey of 600w, peak 1kW, seems inadequate.

For what exactly?

> It may be
> posible to live on that, but no-one will choose to when there are
> other options.

Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration shows that in
the US

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/tablees1a.html

is less than 1,000 watts per household. UK is less per household.

At present in UK houses use 1kW averaged, (I mean
> electricity only) with peak delivery closer to 10kW. Some houses use
> upto 25kW. The old 10kW rated services are considered inadequate -
> even though IRL theyre still performing satisfactorily.
>
> There are also gas supplies for heating, again multiple kilowatt,
> typically mean 3kW averaged over the whole year, so more than that in
> winter.
>
> What the conversion efficiency is for various apps I dont know, but it
> wont be 100%, so your power figures seem a fair bit out.
>
> A 10kW peak beam would be adequate for most domestic properties, if
> not used for heating. Add heating and you'd need to something like
> double it.
>
> I guess you modulate the beam power according to demand, which gives
> you the diversity factor. But I think youre going to need to allow
> more like 3kW for domestic properties as an absolute minimum, and one
> that would not be accepted today, and 10kW+ where you supply heating
> power too. To gain acceptance today you'd need to provide more like
> 10kW peak, with, guessing here, an average of maybe 6kW if youre
> covering heating as well.
>
>
> Now, you have a beam providing upto 1kW or 10kW, with guard beams.
> What happens to the eyes of bystanders when a tiny speck of something
> metallic drifts through the air, and while the guard beam is no longer
> interrupted it gets into the power beam?
>
>
> Also there is the cost of the ground based conversion and control
> equipment. And the many business runing costs to factor in too.
>
>
> > This is enough to sustain growth until market saturation. Also to
> > sustain some research into ways of expanding laser energy use,
> > resulting ultimately in personal laser rocket driven vehicles and
> > laser powered homes, as well as laser powered package delivery.
> >
> > At this point the numbers are just silly, because the economic growth
> > spurred by these developments create fantastic growth. Comparing what
> > might be possible is akin to comparing horsedrawn carriages and
> > gaslight era industry to modern fuel injected autos and electric
> > utilities - there is scant recognition of similarities. So, speaking
> > of it in any useful terms paints one as a mad man.
> >
> > So, I've learned to be quiet. :)
>
>
> I think you need to address many questions yet. I'm not saying you
> havent, but people dont buy these ideas unlses you can explain it all
> to them. We need a site that explains every aspect, provides realistic
> figures with full costings, and most importantly explains the numerous
> questions people have.
>
> What you propose is a very big leap indeed, and would only be
> considered by people if you can answer all their questions. It is when
> people cant answer the relevant questions but insist that it will work
> that a reputation problem occurs.
>
>
> Regards, NT

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