Nicholas Haver, [email protected], Bursic, 2:00
Alex Rugh, [email protected], Mahboobin, 4:00
THE USE OF MICROWAVE WIRELESS POWER IN SOLAR POWER
SATELLITE SYSTEMS
The popularity of solar power as a form of clean, sustainable energy has seen substantial growth since the
beginning of the 21st century. Despite its growing popularity, solar energy accounted for only 0.5 percent of global
electricity demand in 2011 [1]. Currently, further development and implementation of solar power systems has been
limited due to its intermittency and a lack of infrastructure. Solar power production is often inconsistent because
factors such as clouds and other weather conditions can affect how much solar energy the solar cells can harness.
Additionally, because solar panels are often installed in large arrays, many “solar farms” are in remote locations.
Therefore, additional funds are required to transmit the energy produced back to civilized areas where it can be
distributed through existing power grids.
Because of these setbacks, recent research has been dedicated to the design and implementation of solar power
satellite systems. Solar power satellite (SPS) systems are comprised of a satellite in geosynchronous orbit containing
an array of solar cells, an electromagnetic transmitter on the satellite and an electromagnetic receiver on earth [2].
The most common type of electromagnetic transmission, microwaves, are discussed as they pertain to SPS
systems.
The solar cells on the satellite produce energy in the form of DC (direct current) power. This power is sent to a
microwave oscillator where it is converted into radio frequency power, usually in the form of microwaves [3]. Other
methods of generating microwaves include magnetron, klystron, and TWT vacuum tubes and semiconductor
amplifiers, all of which have been considered due to their high power conversion efficiency and low cost [4]. These
microwaves are then ejected through a phased array antenna that distributes the electromagnetic power across the
aperture. The antenna is computer controlled to monitor and control the strength of the power beam being directed
towards Earth [5]. Special receiver rectennas situated on Earth receive the microwaves and convert them into direct
current (DC) electricity.
The implementation of solar power satellite systems presents possibly negative ecological and civilian health
impacts due to the constant delivery of microwaves to various places on Earth. The public’s reassurance that there is
no danger of adverse effects of radiation is crucial to their acceptance and thus the success of the SPS project [6].
Therefore, the effects on humans and ecological surroundings that occur at the system’s operating frequency of 2450
MHz CW must be investigated thoroughly [6].
REFERENCES
[1] S. Lewis and D. Nocera. (2012). “Solar Power Background.” Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. (online
article).
http://www.c2es.org/technology/factsheet/solar
[2] G.A. Landis. (2006). “RE-Evaluating Satellite Solar Power Systems for Earth.” NASA John Glenn Research
Center. (online article).
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=4060043&isnumber=4059868
[3] T. Li, L. Wu and Z. Chen. (2015). “Research Overview on Wireless Power Transmission Technology.” Institute
of Crustal Dynamics. (online article).
http://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2015/03/matecconf_iceta2015_02021.pdf
[4] S. Sasaki and K. Tanaka. (2011). “Wireless Power Transmission Technologies for Solar Power Satellite.”
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. (online article).
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=5877137&isnumber=5876647
[5] J. Mc Spadden and J. Mankins. (2002). “Space Solar Power Programs and Microwave Wireless Power
Transmission Technology.” Boeing Phantom Works. (online article).
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=1145675&isnumber=25789
[6] D. Cahill. (1979). “An Overview of Satellite Power Systems-Microwave Health and Ecology Program.” United
States Environmental Protection Agency. (online article).
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=1123962&isnumber=24839
SOURCES CONSULTED
“Choosing a Topic.” University of Pittsburgh ULS. (2014). (video).
http://www.library.pitt.edu/other/files/il/fresheng/index.html
T. Agarwal. (2014). “Top Seminar topics for Electrical Engineering Students in 2016.” Elprocus. (online article).
https://www.elprocus.com/top-50-latest-technical-seminar-topics-for-electrical-engineering-2014/
TOPIC AREA: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
The use of wireless power transmission in solar power satellites falls primarily under the topic area of electrical
engineering. A major component of this topic is power engineering and power distribution, which falls under
electrical engineering. The primary difference between solar power satellites and photovoltaic solar systems on earth
is the addition of wireless power transmission to send the energy captured by the solar satellites in space back to
earth. This technology is part of signal processing, a major component of modern electrical engineering.