The principle of operation of solar power plants. Scheme, description

Free technical library

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RADIO ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Free library / Schemes of radio-electronic and electrical devices

The principle of operation of solar power plants. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Free technical library

Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering / Alternative energy sources

Comments on the article

Solar radiation is an environmentally friendly and renewable source of energy. The reserves of solar energy are huge, the annual amount of energy entering the Earth is 1,05 * 1018 kWh, of which 2 * 1017 kWh falls on the land surface. Of this amount of energy, 1,62 * 1016 kWh per year can be used without damage to the environment, which is equivalent to burning 2 * 1012 tons of reference fuel (toe) per year. The latter figure is 60 times higher than the forecast for 2020 production of all types of energy resources on the globe (34,2 billion toe).

However, the use of this energy for the production of electricity on a large scale is associated with great difficulties, the main of which are the low density of solar radiation on the earth's surface and the intermittent nature of its receipt (night time, cloudiness, cloudy days). Known ways to overcome these obstacles are the creation of energy accumulators and combined solar-fuel or solar-nuclear energy systems, as well as the use of solar energy-concentrating devices that increase its density. Unfortunately, these solutions have not been widely used, especially in countries located in high latitudes, due to their lack of competitiveness with traditional power plants.

Quite different results could be achieved by abandoning ground-based solar power plants and placing them in geosynchronous orbit.

The idea of a solar space power plant (SCES) was first formulated in the USA by P.E. Glaser (R.E. Glaser) in 1968. It was proposed to place high-power solar panels in geosynchronous orbit, equipped with DC-to-microwave (MW) electromagnetic radiation converters. The choice of a geosynchronous orbit (about 36 km) as the location of the SCES ensures the station hovering over a certain point on the earth's surface, and the use of a directed electromagnetic radiation beam allows energy to be transferred from the station to the Earth, where it can be converted into industrial frequency electric current. The plane of the geosynchronous orbit was chosen to coincide with the equatorial plane.

The Earth is inclined, as is known, at 23,50 to the plane of the ecliptic (Fig. 1), which provides almost year-round illumination of solar panels. The shading of batteries by the shadow of the Earth is observed at the points of the spring and autumn equinoxes and does not exceed a total of 1,2 hours.

Considering also that the density of solar radiation in geosynchronous orbit is 1,4 kW / m2, which is 2-2,5 times higher than the average on Earth, the advantages of SCES over ground stations become obvious.

The principle of operation of solar power plants

Of course, the difficulties, primarily economic, associated with the implementation of this project are no less obvious. However, a well-known incentive for the development of work in this correction, in addition to creating a renewable energy source, is the solution to the problem of preserving the environment from the ever-increasing thermal pollution of the planet by the thermal waste of industrial civilization. The attempts of individual countries to protect themselves from the harmful influence of their own industry, taking it outside the national territory, are already unable to solve this global problem today, and the construction of factories in near-Earth orbits proposed by science fiction writers does not seem to be a distant future.

It is not surprising, therefore, that since the end of the 60s, intensive theoretical and experimental study of various options for powerful solar stations in geosynchronous orbit and individual elements of their design began.

See other articles Section Alternative energy sources.

Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Major risk factor for gambling addiction 07.05.2024

Computer games are becoming an increasingly popular form of entertainment among teenagers, but the associated risk of gaming addiction remains a significant problem. American scientists conducted a study to determine the main factors contributing to this addiction and offer recommendations for its prevention. Over the course of six years, 385 teenagers were followed to find out what factors may predispose them to gambling addiction. The results showed that 90% of study participants were not at risk of addiction, while 10% became gambling addicts. It turned out that the key factor in the onset of gambling addiction is a low level of prosocial behavior. Teenagers with a low level of prosocial behavior do not show interest in the help and support of others, which can lead to a loss of contact with the real world and a deepening dependence on virtual reality offered by computer games. Based on these results, scientists ... >>

Traffic noise delays the growth of chicks 06.05.2024

The sounds that surround us in modern cities are becoming increasingly piercing. However, few people think about how this noise affects the animal world, especially such delicate creatures as chicks that have not yet hatched from their eggs. Recent research is shedding light on this issue, indicating serious consequences for their development and survival. Scientists have found that exposure of zebra diamondback chicks to traffic noise can cause serious disruption to their development. Experiments have shown that noise pollution can significantly delay their hatching, and those chicks that do emerge face a number of health-promoting problems. The researchers also found that the negative effects of noise pollution extend into the adult birds. Reduced chances of reproduction and decreased fertility indicate the long-term effects that traffic noise has on wildlife. The study results highlight the need ... >>

Random news from the Archive

U-shaped computer keyboard 25.06.2003

The American company SafeType has released an original ergonomic keyboard, which is designed to save computer users from the inconvenience of traditional text input devices.

The new keyboard has a U-shape. On the two side panels are alphanumeric and function keys. In this case, the keys that on a conventional keyboard fall under the left hand are on the left panel, and under the right hand - on the right. On the horizontal part of the keyboard there are control keys, multimedia keys, cursor control and an additional numeric keypad.

Such an unusual keyboard configuration is due to the fact that with the vertical arrangement of the keys, the forearms are in the so-called neutral position (thumbs pointing up), in which the wrists practically do not strain. This is especially noticeable when working for a long time. However, such a keyboard also has serious drawbacks. To work with it, you need to know the method of touch typing, since looking at the keyboard is very uncomfortable.

The last two rows of keys are practically impossible to see without turning your head. Therefore, the keyboard is equipped with two mirrors that reflect these keys, and the inscriptions on the keys themselves are written in a mirror version.

Other interesting news:

▪ Free will allows us to be ourselves

▪ Jawbone UP electronic bracelet keeps track of your health

▪ Logitech Zone Wireless 2 headset

▪ Maxim MAX30208 and MAXM86161 medical sensors

▪ Rat mutual assistance

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ section of the site Radioelectronics and electrical engineering. Article selection

▪ article Plastic skis. History of invention and production

▪ article Into whom did they turn the monument to Lenin in Odessa so as not to dismantle it? Detailed answer

▪ article Installer of electrical equipment. Standard instruction on labor protection

▪ article Call for a communal apartment. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article Printed-parallel editing. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews