Space-based solar power : a technical, economic, and operational assessment / Jeffrey L. Caton.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Caton, Jeffrey L., author.

Contributor:

Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute, publisher.

Army War College (U.S.). Press, publisher.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Army--Energy consumption.

United States.

United States. Army.

Satellite solar power stations.

Satellite solar power stations--Economic aspects.

Renewable energy sources--United States.

Renewable energy sources.

Energy security--United States.

Energy security.

Armed Forces--Energy consumption.

Genre:

Online resources.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 53 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

Carlisle Barracks, PA : Strategic Studies Institute and U.S. Army War College Press, [2015]

System Details:

text file

PDF

Summary:

"With growing international awareness of energy security challenges, the promise of space-based solar power for clean and unlimited energy for all humankind is certainly appealing. While significant progress continues in the enabling technologies of such systems, is there compelling evidence that space-based solar power systems will provide the best energy solution? How does the Army's current approach to incorporating a diverse portfolio of renewable energy sources in distributed locations compare to the potential of enterprise ventures that beam energy from solar collectors in space? For over 4 decades, many credible organizations in government and industry have explored the concept of space-based solar power, but their serious studies often conclude that such systems remain on the future horizon, usually at least 10 years away from practical application. While space-based solar power systems may be technically feasible, the author believes there is no compelling evidence that such systems will be economically or operationally competitive with terrestrial power generation systems in use or in development. However, he does find that there may be some utility in the limited application of space-based solar power to enable operations in remote and forward operating locations"--Publisher's web site

Contents:

Technological assessment

Economic assessment

Operational assessment

Findings and recommendations

Concluding remarks.

Notes:

"April 2015."

Paper version available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Publishing Office.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 39-51).

Online resource; title from PDF title page (SSI, viewed April 9, 2015).

Other Format:

Print version: Caton, Jeffrey L. Space-based solar power

OCLC:

906937141