Off-world Power Generation: Difference between revisions

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==== Premise ====
==== Premise ====
   
   
* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth-orbit satellite>
<Earth>   <-clearsky-burst-laser--   <Earth-orbit satellite>


==== Goal ==== near-Earth solar array about the size of Nebraska to power the globe
==== Goal ====  


* Use the 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
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 ====
 
 
* Power is measured in Newton-meters per second or Joules per second or Watts.
 
Less likely:
* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-microwave-- <Earth-orbit satellite> <-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth-orbit satellite> <- <Earth's moon>
* <Earth's moon> <- <Earth-Sol Lagrange-point solar array>
 
Given:
* earth to moon: 238,900 miles
* there are [https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/observatory_l2.html four lagrange points] that provide constant sun exposure at predictable locations
* l1 to earth/moon: 1 million miles
* A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geosynchronous_orbit geosynchronous orbit] takes one sidereal day, and is 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above the Earth's surface. Those closer to Earth orbit faster than Earth rotates, so from Earth, they appear to move eastward while those that orbit beyond geosynchronous distances appear to move westward.
* other interesting earth orbits: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit low] goes across poles, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit medium] used by GPS, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Earth_orbit high] is slow and crawls west, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit Molniya] spends more time away from equator; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit#/media/File:Orbitalaltitudes.jpg relative distances diagram]
* the sun primarily produces visible light (not microwaves or gamma...)
* laser transmission is more efficient than microwave, except where earth's atmosphere interferes
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power current status]: A Gigawatt-range microwave system would weigh ~80,000 tons (prohibitively expensive) [https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power more] [https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf lots more]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency Solar cell efficiency]
 
Laser transmit antenna in space: 1 meter diameter per GW
Receive: Several hundred meters across
 
 
PV energy collection
 
 
=== 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.

Research

Prototyping

Crowdfunding