Tech: Beaming power from space

[dracodraconis]

The tiny Indonesian island of Palau may be the first nation to benefit from energy beamed to earth from orbital solar stations. American entrepreneur Kevin Reed proposed that the viability of space-based power could be tested in the small scale by building an 80-metre rectenna to receive up to 1 megawatt of power from solar stations orbiting 480 kilometres overhead. The project is estimated to cost more than $800 million (US) but could be in place by 2012. Rather than lock a single satellite into geosynchronous orbit, a series of smaller satellites would transmit stored energy for 5 minutes, once every 90 minutes as they pass over the island.

Comments

[lyanna-beth.livejournal.com]

I'm curious - why would the series of bursts from several satellites be better than a geosynch. orbit? Wouldn't it be cheaper for just one satellite rather than several? Admittedly, I have to assume that the several other satellites might also be "beaming down Scotty" at various _other_ sites on their way 'round, which might be more economically feasible. (?)
Just wondering...

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

Yep. As well, building one big station was going to be so expensive that nobody was willing to invest in it. Reduce the price tag and becomes possible to bring investors onboard. Another benefit is that beaming 1 megawatt of energy is far safer, being not much different than the energy released by a microwave oven. A larger (say, 10 megawatt) beam would require cordoning off a hefty bit of real estate to ensure safety.