Space-based solar power could solve energy crisis’

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‘Space-based solar power could solve energy crisis’

Peter Garretson is a futurist and transformational strategist. He previously served as the chief of Future Science and Technology Exploration for the US air force and is presently an international visiting fellow at the Indian Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). He tells Rajan Somasundaram why space-based solar power (SBSP) could revolutionise the power generation forever:

What is space-based solar power all about?
Though solar energy is one of the most popular renewable energy sources, the cost of tapping the same has always been comparatively more because of its diluted form, seasonal variations and nonavailability for more than half of the day. SBSP overcomes these issues by placing the solar collector panels in a geo-synchronous orbit in space and have the solar power beamed to earth before converting it to useful electricity. Solar energy could be beamed to earth as radio waves or coherent light (LASER). Just to understand the enormity of energy availability, a kilometrewide band at a geo-orbit experiencesenough solar flux in one year to nearly equal the amount of energy contained within all known recoverable conventional oil reserves on earth today. And it is 99 per cent uninterrupted through the year.
How about commercial viability?
Commercial viability is a big unknown, and will be so until power starts being delivered. There are many ideas and proposals in many places around the world, but no working prototype has ever been built and flown on orbit. Many believe there is a need for additional technical development and risk-reduction. Clearly, there are some companies who are already quite confident about commercial viability, as witnessed by the deal finalised a few weeks ago in California. The California Power Utility has agreed to buy 200 MW of electricity from Pacific Gas & Electric Company from 2016, which would be generated from a space-based solar station.
How does SBSP compare with other conventional energy sources in terms of fighting greenhouse gas emissions?
Space solar life cycle CO2 is 60 times better than a conventional coal-fired power plant. It’s by far one of the cleanest energy forms available. Space-based solar power is so promising that it could well be the answer to the world’s energy crisis.
How could India contribute to this programme?
Former president A P J Abdul Kalam has suggested that SBSP be made a national and international goal. The Aerospace Society of India (AeSI) has called for a global aerospace and energy mission, and articulated the need for a directed academic, industry and government study, as well as consideration of a leadership role in an International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor-like experiment. Some people i have talked with have mentioned putting it on the Indo-US strategic agenda as part of the renewable energy and space partnerships.