Off-world Power Generation: Difference between revisions
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==== Premise ==== | ==== Premise ==== | ||
<Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth-orbit satellite> | |||
==== Goal ==== | ==== Goal ==== | ||
* | Near-Earth 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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* 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. | * 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. | ||
==== Conclusion ==== | |||
=== Conclusion === | |||
Keep it as simple as possible, but no less. | Keep it as simple as possible, but no less. | ||
Revision as of 19:09, 21 December 2018
Concept
Premise
<Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth-orbit satellite>
Goal
Near-Earth 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.
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.