Off-world Power Generation: Difference between revisions
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=== Concept === | === Concept === | ||
==== Premise ==== | |||
<Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <satellite> | |||
==== Goal ==== | |||
Near-earth or Lagrange-point solar array about the size of Nebraska to power the globe. | |||
Calculations: | |||
* Energy requirement of NYC: ~3000 trillion BTU in 2016 = 3000 trillion btu / 365 days = 3.4E+11 btu/hr = 1.0036680479e+11 watts = 100 GW | |||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photovoltaic_power_stations PV power stations] collect more power than [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_solar_thermal_power_stations solar thermal power stations]. They seem to average ~3 MW/km^2 (throwing out 2 ridiculous outliers). | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photovoltaic_power_stations PV power stations] collect more power than [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_solar_thermal_power_stations solar thermal power stations]. They seem to average ~3 MW/km^2 (throwing out 2 ridiculous outliers). | ||
* Traditional single-junction cells have a maximum theoretical efficiency of 33.16% [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency more]. In reality it is around [https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/solar-basics/how-much-electricity-does-a-solar-panel-produce/#top10 18.7%]. | * Traditional single-junction cells have a maximum theoretical efficiency of 33.16% [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency more]. In reality it is around [https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/solar-basics/how-much-electricity-does-a-solar-panel-produce/#top10 18.7%]. | ||
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* Approximate energy absorbable by a solar panel in space: 320W / 1.64m^2 / .48% = 400W/m^2 in space | * Approximate energy absorbable by a solar panel in space: 320W / 1.64m^2 / .48% = 400W/m^2 in space | ||
* Approximate required size of a solar array "near Earth" (including l1) to power NYC: 100GW / 400W/m^s = 250 sq km | * Approximate required size of a solar array "near Earth" (including l1) to power NYC: 100GW / 400W/m^s = 250 sq km | ||
* | * 1 out of every 811 humans on earth live in NYC, so 250 sq km dish * 811 (assuming every human uses as much energy as a New Yorker) requires a solar array of only around 200,000 sq km - the size of Nebraska - to power the globe. A physicist confirms on the back of an envelope that the area needed [https://youtu.be/E0W1ZZYIV8o will be "near-(UK)-country-sized"]. | ||
=== Conclusion === | ==== Conclusion ==== | ||
Keep it as simple as possible, but no less. | Keep it as simple as possible, but no less. | ||
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* We need to determine the requirements to receive laser power at an Earth-based power plant. | * We need to determine the requirements to receive laser power at an Earth-based power plant. | ||
* We need to crowdfund the project. | * We need to crowdfund the project. | ||
=== [[Off-world Power Generation Research|Research]] === | === [[Off-world Power Generation Research|Research]] === | ||
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=== [[Off-world Power Generation Crowdfunding|Crowdfunding]] === | === [[Off-world Power Generation Crowdfunding|Crowdfunding]] === | ||
=== [[Off-world Power Generation Patrons|Patrons]] === | |||
Latest revision as of 20:04, 18 April 2021
Concept
Premise
<Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <satellite>
Goal
Near-earth or Lagrange-point solar array about the size of Nebraska to power the globe.
Calculations:
- Energy requirement of NYC: ~3000 trillion BTU in 2016 = 3000 trillion btu / 365 days = 3.4E+11 btu/hr = 1.0036680479e+11 watts = 100 GW
- PV power stations collect more power than solar thermal power stations. They seem to average ~3 MW/km^2 (throwing out 2 ridiculous outliers).
- Traditional single-junction cells have a maximum theoretical efficiency of 33.16% more. In reality it is around 18.7%.
- A 65"x39" (1.64 m^2) solar panel made in 2018 produces ~320W.
- About 48% of solar energy hitting the Earth reaches the surface. Perhaps optimistic, but we will divide by .48 to get energy-in-space vs on-earth.
- Approximate energy absorbable by a solar panel in space: 320W / 1.64m^2 / .48% = 400W/m^2 in space
- Approximate required size of a solar array "near Earth" (including l1) to power NYC: 100GW / 400W/m^s = 250 sq km
- 1 out of every 811 humans on earth live in NYC, so 250 sq km dish * 811 (assuming every human uses as much energy as a New Yorker) requires a solar array of only around 200,000 sq km - the size of Nebraska - to power the globe. A physicist confirms on the back of an envelope that the area needed will be "near-(UK)-country-sized".
Conclusion
Keep it as simple as possible, but no less.
- We need to optimize free space power transmission in lab conditions using currently-available consumer electronics.
- We need to create a solar panel array with robotics that can self-assemble.
- We need robotics that can precisely and safely aim laser energy to a distant target using a real-time handshaking protocol.
- We need to determine the cheapest possible way to launch a payload from Earth and navigate it to a final stable destination (lagrange or Earth orbit).
- We need to determine the requirements to receive laser power at an Earth-based power plant.
- We need to crowdfund the project.