Why Energy from Space?
A growth in global power demand in combination with political, economical and environmental issues make us re-think energy. A combination of new and exciting energy solutions will provide the answer to current energy concerns.
Energy from Space may provide significant, independent, constant and clean energy.
A typical Energy from Space plant could produce 1 GW of electric energy. This is enough to power 1 to 2 million homes, depending on the average consumption. For example, one plant can supply 15% of Singapore's or New York City's average electricity demand.
The same amount of power is produced by current large-scale coal, gas, oil and nuclear plants. Energy from Space can supplement or replace these conventional energy plants.
Although the Energy from Space plants will share its orbit with numerous other man-made satellites, there is ample space for many plants. For example, Japan's ambition is to place 30 GW above Japan, resulting in 25% of Japan's total current power demand by 2060.
An Energy from Space system may be placed in geostationary orbit. That means that it will always stay above the same location on Earth. Also, because of the high altitude, the power beam can be safely pointed to another location if needed. As such, multiple locations can be powered simultaneously.
This is particularly interesting for countries and hard-to-reach places that want to become more independent on the supply and price of fuels like oil, gas, coal and uranium.
Moreover, the power is also totally independent from wind, clouds, day and night. The sun always shines in space and the power beam is unobstructed by the atmosphere.
In space the Sun always shines. There are no clouds, dust and shifts in night and day. Solar energy received on a solar cell in space produces six to eight times more energy than a solar cell on Earth, continuously. Consequently, the energy received on Earth is independent and stable. Energy from Space systems can supply base power demands and complement terrestrial green energy technologies like solar, wind and hydro energy.
Only for about 75 minutes every spring and autumn, called the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, Energy from Space systems are in the Earth's shadow. As a result, the systems provide power more than 99.9% of the time and are out of sunlight on predictable times.
The energy required for an entire Energy from Space system, including manufacturing and placing it into orbit, may be compensated within several years. Studies indicate it is safe for the atmosphere and will add an insignificant amount of extra heat to the Earth's environment.
The energy intensity on Earth coming from the system is maximally 1000 W/m², which is the same as the energy intensity of full summer sunlight. This energy is directed at the receiving ground station. Moreover, studies have shown that microwaves are non-ionizing, meaning that cells of organisms and humans are not damaged and only heat is produced. For extra safety, the receiving ground station will be placed offshore or on deserted land areas that are sufficiently away from regular human activity.
