Arthur D.Little, Inc. ACORN PARK CAMBRIDGE, MA 02140-(617) 864-5770 - TELEX 921436 January 26, 1978 The Honorable 01in E. Teague Committee on Science & Technology Rayburn House Office Building Dear Mr. Teague: Thank you very much for your letter of December 19th inviting me to submit a paper on future space programs for use of the members of the Committee on Science and Technology. Enclosed are 50 copies of the paper, "Solar Power Satellite Development: A Time for Decision," including an abstract and my resume. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to your efforts to accomplish a comprehensive evaluation of future space programs and to develop as a national goal for the year 2000 the most appropriate approach for the conversion of solar energy in space to provide power to the Earth. Please call on me if I can be of any further assistance. ABSTRACT At the May 24, 1973 Hearings of the Committee on Science and Astronautics, I proposed that a solar power satellite (SPS) be developed as an option for power generation on Earth. The development of the SPS meets the criteria applicable to future space programs: ⚫ The acquisition of new knowledge and understanding; • Advances based on existing technology; · An enterprise which is significant to future progress; • Enhancement of peaceful uses of space for the benefit of humanity. The results of extensive SPS system studies have confirmed that there are no known technical barriers to the design, deployment and operation of the SPS. Economic studies have showed that projected capital and electric power generation costs are within the competitive range of the costs of future terrestrial power generation methods. Risk analyses have provided an economic justification for proceeding with the initial phases of an SPS development program. In view of the increasing confidence in the technical feasibility and economic promise of the SPS, I recommend that a five-year SPS development program be undertaken which addresses the critical issues pertaining to: Technology Development, Environmental Effects, Economic Factors and Institutional Arrangements. On the basis of the available evidence, I believe that: ⚫ The SPS is one of the most promising power generation options; • The decision to develop this option on an expanded scale should be made now; The SPS development program should be a significant component of our country's future space programs and energy plan. SOLAR POWER SATELLITE DEVELOPMENT: A TIME FOR DECISION by Dr. Peter E. Glaser, Vice President Arthur D. Little, Inc. THE CONTEXT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY OPTIONS The use of energy has been an essential component in improving the quality of life beyond the basic necessities for survival. A striking feature of the history of exploitation of energy resources has been the sustained growth of energy consumption in the industrialized nations during the last century. Meeting this demand for energy has been the primary driving force in the development of technology to mine coal, dam rivers, drill for oil and gas, and extract uranium. Furthermore, conversion of energy resources into useful forms has been and will continue to be an essential component of human activities. The recognition that no one energy source will, by itself, meet all future energy demands, that the search for new sources of non-renewable fuels can only put off the day of their ultimate exhaustion, and that uncertainties inherent in achieving the potential of known energy conversion methods are large when applied on a global scale, has led to renewed emphasis on the development of solar energy applications. The degree to which these applications can be successfully developed will to a large extent depend on the economic feasibility of solar energy technology and the reduced availability of non-renewable fuels and their future cost escalation. Although solar energy is a widely distributed resource, its low flux density requires conversion technology that is capital intensive. Finding the best method for converting the available energy efficiently and economically on a scale large enough to have significant impact, therefore, presents a challenge. The successful and widespread introduction of solar technology will require considerable development in order to strike the appropriate balance among conflicting requirements presented by economics, the environment, and society's needs. Current solar energy research and development is directed towards a search for new technology and approaches to reduce the cost of conversion and for designs and processes to permit low-cost mass production. Although expectations for significant benefits are high, results on the desired scale are unlikely to be achieved quickly, not because of the lack of appropriate technology but because of limited experience with such technology and, until very recently, lack of appreciation of the potential of solar energy. SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION METHODS The capacity of solar energy to produce heat sufficient to power heat engines and generate electric power or direct conversion of solar radiation to electricity through the photovoltaic process offer promising alternatives to conventional methods for power generation. Large-scale conversion of solar energy to generate power by these methods is restricted to favorable locations with abundant sunshine where capital-intensive technology can be used to best advantage. Even in these locations, solar radiation will be attenuated and interrupted by unfavorable weather and by the diurnal cycle, placing solar generated power at an economic disadvantage with base load power generated by conventional methods. Indirect conversion of various forms of stored solar energy such as bioconversion, wind energy conversion and the extraction of power from ocean thermal gradients are also being explored. However, land, water, fertilizer and labor requirements for the plants that would have to be grown for bioconversion, the variations in favorable wind patterns, and the long distances over which power generated by ocean-based energy conversion platforms would have to be transmitted limit the world-wide applicability of these methods. At present, there is a lack of confidence in the extent to which future energy options will work and how they will affect society. To develop any one of these options to a stage where it would contribute on a significant basis will require major investments, time to demonstrate their performance, and public acceptance. THE RATIONALE FOR SOLAR POWER SATELLITE DEVELOPMENT Recognizing the obstacles to large-scale solar generated power, I presented to the Committee on Science and Astronautics at Hearings on May 24, 1973', a proposal to convert solar energy in a solar power satellite (SPS) in geosynchronous Earth orbit, where solar energy is available 24 hours a day during most of the year. The SPS development meets criteria applicable to future space programs: • Enhancement of peaceful uses of space for the benefit of humanity. Since the inception of the United States Space Program in 1958, one of its major objectives has been the development of technology that would effectively use space to contribute to the improvement of life on Earth. The development of space technology and associated activities has so matured that expanding activities in space are of increasing benefit on Earth, as already demonstrated by the existing network of communications and Earth observation satellites. It is already commonplace to convert solar energy in space into the power needed by satellites orbiting the Earth and exploring the solar system. The SPS represents an extension of existing technology and could utilize a space transportation system based on the space shuttle already demonstrated in horizontal flight. The SPS will be fabricated and assembled from components delivered to orbit by a space transportation system which will also be used to support the space-based operations required to fabricate, assemble, and maintain the SPS. There is an increas |