Thursday, November 11, 2010

Kalam-NSS Energy Initiative to tap solar power in space





India's former president Dr. A.P.J. Kalam is taking joint initiative with America’s National Space Society to tap solar power in space. It is named as Kalam-NSS Energy Initiative.

The goal of this initiative is to solve the global energy crisis, to solve the global carbon crisis, and to solve America’s next generation jobs crisis. These Goals will be achieved by harvesting solar power in space.


World electricity demand by the year 2035 is projected to increase by 87%.


Renewable power generation systems (water, wind, solar, geothermal, etc.) will only meet 23% of that demand.

Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam
According to Dr. A.P.J. Kalam, “By 2050, even if we use every available energy resource we have: clean and dirty, conventional and alternative, solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, coal, oil, and gas, the world will fall short of the energy we need.



He adds that
, “
There is an answer… an energy source that produces no carbon emissions, an energy source that can reach to most distant villages of the world, and an energy source that can turn both countries into net energy and technology exporters.It’s space solar power.

Read below his complete statement.


Our Vision for this unique initiative, now emerging from India and the United States, the largest and oldest democracies in the world, is for all nations of the world working together to enhance the quality of human life, inspire the spirit of space exploration, expand the horizons of knowledge, and ensure space security for all nations of the world. I am of the view that the present capabilities of major space faring nations are not optimally utilized. The launch vehicles of the world, the spacecraft of the world, the application potential of the world, the space scientific research potential of the world and above all the huge costs envisaged for long term space programmes would call for a "paradigm shift" in nations to work together to bring the benefits of space to humanity as a whole. This is possible, as my experience suggests, only if we have strong cooperation of each nation contributing substantially in technology and resources.
The constraints on growth of electric power capacity like land availability, water and fuel supply chains (for coal as well as nuclear power) and silting of dams etc, are among the major factors that have, so far, limited power capacity growth world-wide, and India with its large population is among those significantly concerned. I have been discussing with leaders, professionals and common citizens in India and various parts of the world on this serious issue of energy. When I was recently in USA, whether it was in Arkansas, Houston, Kentucky or Washington DC, it was apparent that energy independence is a key focus. Both developed countries and developing countries, while trying to overcome deficits in energy, are also discussing at public policy and implementation levels, as to how to intensify research and development on renewable energy systems. This is not only from the point of view of energy availability but also from the view point of a sustainable environment.
In India, the need for space based solar power stations was identified as far back as 1993. Since then, indeed earlier from 1987, work has been carried out in India on advanced space transportation system design concepts for affordable space solar power. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) have recently carried out some preliminary concept studies on Space Solar Power and examined three SSP configurations. ISRO has also welcomed an International Preliminary Feasibility Study.
In the USA, by 1995, NASA took a “Fresh Look” at Space Solar power, in the light of several advances made in systems architectures, solar cell weight and efficiency, light weight array structures. They concluded that the technology state-of-art was adequate to establish cost-effective SSP systems.
By 2050, even if we use every available energy resource we have, clean and dirty, conventional and alternative, solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, coal, oil, and gas, the world will fall short of the energy we need by 66%. There is an answer. An answer for both the developed and developing countries. That is a solar energy source that is close to infinite, an energy source that produces no carbon emissions, an energy source that can reach the most distant villages of the world, and an energy source that can turn countries into net energy exporters.
I am convinced that harvesting solar power in space can bring India and United States of America together in whole new ways. And I am certain that harvesting solar power in space can upgrade the living standard of the human race. Hence, the Kalam-NSS Energy Initiative, to benefit the world community.

Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam
Space-based solar power (SBSP) is a system for the collection of solar power in space, for use on Earth.

SBSP differs from the usual method of solar power collection in that the solar panels used to collect the energy would reside on a satellite in orbit rather than on Earth's surface.

In space, collection of the Sun's energy is unaffected by the various obstructions which reduce efficiency or capacities of Earth surface solar power collection.


Find below key facts about Space Solar Power.

  • An array of solar cells in space make electricity from the suns energy, which is converted to a microwave beam, sent to Earth and then converted back to electricity
  • Seven times more energy in space per unit area as compared to the ground
  • Avoids the need for expensive energy storage



Find below the benefits of Space Solar Power and the Kalam-NSS Energy Initiative.
  • An almost unlimited source of energy. The sun produces 1 to 10 TRILLION times the amount of energy currently used by humanity.
  • Environmental Friendly: Beam not a problem. Naked humans can walk through. Birds can fly through.
  • Receiver uses much less land, which is particularly important for India
    Rough terrain land can be used. And, land can also be used for agriculture as Dual use.
  • Almost zero carbon dioxide produced
  • Energy Independence: America spends $700 billion per year on oil imports. India has similar problems.
  • Net Energy Exporters: Space Solar Power can be sold and beamed to any nation.
  • India and America could become the world’s largest energy exporters.
  • Potential energy wars may be avoided.



This initiative involves 15 – 25 Indian and a similar number of American experts. T. K. Alex, Director of the Indian Space Research Organization Satellite Centre will be Indian Principal Investigator. And, John Mankins, world’s leading expert on Space Solar Power will be American Principal Investigator.

A bilateral conference will be held at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville Alabama in May 2011

India and US are having below common things.
  • Shared history of British colonialism
  • English
  • Democracy
  • Religious freedom and tolerance
  • Opposition to terrorism
  • Concerns about energy independence
  • Desire to mitigate climate change
  • Strong public interest in space


Find below the advantages of Indian American Cooperation.

  • Combination of American technology and Indian low cost manufacturing a powerful generator of jobs in both countries.
  • Both already desire to increase cooperation in energy, space and climate change mitigation
  • India as a leader of the developing world, can greatly help with international regulations
  • A rapidly rising India is in the interests of both nations. Neither nation wishes to contain China, however, a prosperous India increases the probability that the rise of China will be peaceful.


Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within IndiaAbout Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam



About John Mankins
  • Chief Operating Officer of Managed Energy Technologies
  • President, Space Power Association
  • 25 year career at NASA
  • While at NASA, led an $800 million per year R&D program
  • For many years he was in charge of the studies at NASA of the concept of Space Solar Power
  • World’s leading expert on Space Solar Power


About Dr. T. K. Alex
  • Director Indian Space Research Organization Satellite Centre
  • Responsible for the sensor systems in all Indian satellites.
  • Led the Chandrayaan-1 project, India’s first lunar probe
  • Currently directing the development of Chandrayaan-2 and sixteen other satellites


Refer this link for more details about his project.

More Articles...
You can bookmark this blog for further reading, or you can subscribe to our blog feed.

3 comments:

Edward Robins said...

The solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that convert sun energy into electric energy used for heating purposes or to power electrical devices.

Solar panels

Continuing Education Contractor said...

This is generally a great idea. Although it will take years and it'll be a really high budgeted project since we're talking about space here. I hope the aim of this goal will be met but in a much cheaper price where people can afford to have this.

Solar Installer California said...

I like your blog on this topic is well-written and original. Your information is really interesting to all readers. Hope you continue to keep up with this blog and will provide us some more information like this :-
http://www.luxlightsolar.com

Search This Blog