|
|
|
|
Author
|
Topic: Solar Power Satellites (Don Flournoy)
|
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
|
posted 09-14-2011 03:13 PM
   
Solar Power Satellites
by Don M. Flournoy Communication satellites are a $144 billion industry. Is there any space-based industry that could possibly beat that market? Solar Power Satellites shows why and how the space satellite industry will soon begin expanding its market from relaying signals to Earth to generating energy in space and delivering it to the ground as electricity. In all industrialized nations, energy demand is growing exponentially. In the developing world, the need for energy is as basic as food and water. The Sun's energy is available everywhere, and it is non-polluting. As business plans demonstrate its technical feasibility, commercial potential, and environmental acceptability, every country on Earth will look to space for the power it needs. Author Don M. Flournoy, Ph.D., is a Professor of Telecommunications at Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University. Since 2002 he has served as the Editor, Online Journal of Space Communication. From 2000-2008 he was VP of the Board, Society of Satellite Professionals International. A former Academic Dean and director of a research institute, Don Flournoy is the author of eight books and numerous chapters, articles, and reports. - Springer, 1st Edition., December 29, 2011
- Softcover, 110 p. 10 illus.
- ISBN 978-1-4614-1999-0
|
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
|
posted 09-14-2011 11:22 PM
As strange as it sounds, electricity use is not growing exponentially in the US. Residential demand recently fell 1.3% and is expected to decline even further. All demand is expected to grow less than 1% per year for the next 20 years.If satellites can deliver power at rates equal or lower than current rates it will be a help to the environment and can be profitable but dont count on demand rising in the US. Of course the electric car could change this equation if it really takes off. |
arjuna
unregistered
|
posted 09-15-2011 06:23 AM
True, but over 70% of the increasing future energy demand is from developing countries, mainly in Asia, and led by China and India. Sources suggest that demand for electricity in Asia is expected to grow 76% from 2007 to 2030. As you imply, developed countries can continue to grow economically despite the glaringly obvious need to become more energy efficient (growth even while keeping total consumption flat). Whether Space Based Solar Power is one of the solutions or not, I don't know. But certainly the problem exists - and will grow only more acute with the current lack of enthusiasm for nuclear power in Asia in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. And all of this, obviously, is independent of the patterns in the U.S. or other developed economies. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 09-15-2011 07:24 AM
We have been hearing about solar power satellites in space beaming energy to Earth for at least 30 years, maybe more. What's changed to make this any different? |
arjuna
unregistered
|
posted 09-15-2011 03:40 PM
Gary, I agree that a healthy amount of skepticism is warranted about SBSP. I intend to read the new book and am open to being proven wrong. Obviously the availability of low-cost access is one of the critical elements that does not yet exist (although I hear there are people working on that!).But as I suggested above there are any number of reasons - growing energy demand, constraints on nuclear, need to move away from carbon-based energy because of global warming - why there is now a more acute problem in need of solution than in the past. | |
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a
|
|
|
 advertisement
|
