NPR’s Morning Edition has been looking at the future of the grid recently in a new 10-part series called “Power Hungry: Reinventing the US Electric Grid.” They also developed some cool web-specific content on the topic, like this interactive map of the US that shows existing and planned transmission lines, power plants, and renewable capacity. While the whole series is worth checking out, here are the must-listen “episodes” if you’re interested in the smart grid:
I first heard about space-based solar power (SBSP) when I worked with a gentleman named John Mankins back when I was doing consulting work for the Department of Energy. A former NASA employee, he is now CTO of Managed Energy Technologies, and was recently featured on the Discovery Channel for his work furthering wireless power transmission - a crucial element of SBSP. Like other proponents of SBSP, John was frustrated that the concept wasn’t receiving more attention.
Well, SBSP has been getting a lot of attention this week after California utility Pacific Gas & Electric requested regulatory permission to enter an agreement with Solaren to deploy a SBSP solution. The project, if approved, would set out to beam 200 MW of solar power to earth from space.
So why look to space? Not only does the sun shine 24×7, it shines at a much stronger intensity (or insolation) - if it could be captured and transmitted back to earth, we’d have more energy than we could use. A 2007 Pentagon report that examined the topic put it this way:
“A single kilometer‐wide band of geosynchronous earth orbit experiences enough solar flux in one year (approximately 212 terawatt‐years) to nearly equal the amount of energy contained within all known recoverable conventional oil reserves on Earth today (approximately 250 TW‐yrs). The enormous potential of this resource demands an examination of mankind’s ability to successfully capture and utilize this energy within the context of today’s technology, economic, and policy realities, as well as the expected environment within the next 25 years. Study of space‐based solar power (SBSP) indicates that there is enormous potential for energy security, economic development, advancement of general space faring, improved environmental stewardship, and overall national security for those nations who construct and possess such a capability.”
But is SBSP feasible?
Last week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce released a discussion draft of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Waxman and Markey, represents a substantial step forward for those eager to see the development of a clean technology economy here in the US. From a clean energy standpoint alone the proposed legislation calls for a package that includes a federal RPS (requiring 6% renewable power by 2012 and 25% by 2025), carbon capture and sequestration, clean fuels and vehicles, and smart grid and electricity transmission deployment. But the bill (nice summary found here) is about more than just clean energy, as it includes title provisions on energy efficiency, global warming pollution, and economic transition. In short, the bill contemplates not only our fuel sources, but the manner in which we deliver and consume fuel, how we manage the associated greenhouse gas emissions, and the necessary economic and trade steps to ensure a successful transition.
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