Satellite solar wireless power transfer for baseload ground supply: clean energy for the future

Abstract

Many factors are influencing the acceptability of energy technology. The transformation of the energy sector is looking for clean energy technology that is also suitable for baseload power generation. Terrestrial solar energy has many obstructions, so solar power from space without any hindrance has higher priority for adoption, and it is suitable for future energy continuous demand supply. As technology is advancing, the possibility of satellite solar-based power station is more than a science fiction now and is possible in the coming future. Microwave transmission with high beam efficiency is the key issue to be improved for the feasibility of satellite solar power station. Besides others, research should focus on the reduction of space segment’s components dimension and space vehicle dispatch cost. Concerning space segments, applying an optimized value of fractional power unit modules and assembling it for constant baseload power supply have economic advantages, as well as that the antenna size is also reduced. This work deals with system components size estimation and optimization for a selected 10-GW baseload power supply. Four case studies have been conducted considering the different unit sizes, and the system model is analyzed for suitable power unit selection.