Space based solar power?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20070411/s...
ok umm, it sounds great and all but, how exactly does one transport usable energy from orbit, through the atmosphere, to the surface?
2007-04-11 12:18:44 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Mocrowave radiation? no definitely doesn't sound too efficient, or safe...
2007-04-11 12:32:01 · update #1
You beam it down as microwave radiation. Probably not very efficient.
2007-04-11 12:23:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The microwave transport mentioned by another answerer is correct. It would be efficient--you'd use microwave frequency lasers--very accurate and with very low losses. I t would also be safe--the beam wouldn't disperse and at the surface, presumably it would be restricted airspace.
But their are real problems--on being the possible heating of large voulumes of air--and possible collateral effects from that.
Personal opinion--its not going to happpen simply because of changes in technology. Specifically, the cost of earthboundsolar energy is dropping. Space production would be more efficient--but the way things are moving, not more cost effective. we'll benefit more by finding ways to store solar energy for later (night/cloudy day) use cost effectively.
2007-04-11 14:30:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both the answers you got are correct - microwaves. You're thinking along the lines of a microwave oven, but that's not what we mean. Microwaves can be focused into a narrow beam and aimed at collectors on the earth. And since the atmosphere is transparent to microwaves there is very little loss of energy in the transfer.
2007-04-11 13:38:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guide To Solar Power : http://Solar.eudko.com/?cEs
2017-04-05 05:39:57 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Microwaves or laser. It isn't really the beaming that is the limiting factor. It is the cost of solar cells and even more the cause of launch.
2007-04-11 12:54:54 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
according to ooooollllddd articles i read on this in pop sci, the efficiency would be 98% or better. you'd lose more power transmitting it through the grid than that.
as for safe, the beam's strength would be just slightly more than what you cook your brain with every time you call mom on your cell phone. ponder that one...
2007-04-12 18:31:34 · answer #6 · answered by Abdu Rahim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
looks good on paper, but the technology is not here or the advanced alloys needed for such a project.
2007-04-15 05:33:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋