UK study of Space Based Solar Power - helping to deliver Net Zero

Public briefing - August 2021

Martin Soltau
 This presentation

1. Net Zero context

2. Space Based Solar Power overview
3. Why the UK should evaluate SBSP
4. Study objectives & approach
5. Study findings
6. Recommendations
7. The Space Energy Initiative

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 Future Energy Scenarios - National Grid

 Tripling of electricity demand

 Massive growth in offshore wind

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 Net Zero has many challenges…
Net Zero pathways include:
 Substantial growth of intermittent wind / solar
 Substantial increase in nuclear and biomass
 High capture rate carbon capture and storage (CCS)
 Clean hydrogen generation
 Societal change; speculative energy mix options
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… but there are many risks and challenges:
 Grid stability; need for baseload or storage
 Sustainability, scalability, high cost, politics
 Low technical maturity, high cost
 High cost of electrolysis
 Changing behaviours, higher energy costs
We need new energy technologies which offer:
 Affordable, competitively priced energy
 Reliability, resilience, security of supply
 Deliver substantial contribution by 2050
 Support UK prosperity and high value jobs
Space Based Solar Power offers new options
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 The abundant solar energy in space

Solar energy resource - in space vs on earth (in UK) “… the current average UK annual
1,600
solar resource is 101.2 W/m2,
1,365
ranging from 128.4 W/m2 in the
south of England to 71.8 W/m2 in
Solar energy resource (W/m2)

1,400

the northwest of Scotland.”

1,200

1,000
Atmospheric absorption
800 Reflection from clouds There is over 13 times
Night the solar energy resource in
600
space than on earth across
400 the UK.
200
101.2

Space Earth (average in UK) Source: Renewable Energy, Vol 71, Nov 2014,
Burnett et al, pub. Elsevier Ltd
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 Why Space Based Solar Power?

There is 100 times more solar

energy available from a narrow
strip around the earth at GEO,
than the forecast global energy
demands of humanity in 2050.

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 Why Space Based Solar Power?
Desirable attributes

Energy Continuous power generation, 24/7, 365 days/year

Gigawatt levels of base-load energy generation
generation Green hydrogen generation for the transport sector
Affordable LCOE for homes and industry
Security and
Long term security of fuel supply (5 Billion years)
economics Security and resilience to political or terrorist action

Readily integrated with existing Grid infrastructure

Grid
Low intermittency, high predictability
integration Despatchable, high load factor

Fully sustainable, renewable energy source

Environmental
Zero carbon, carbon payback period < 12 months
impact Low environmental impact (footprint, land use) Against a broad range
Delivering Net
Roadmap for orbital demonstrator by 2030 of attributes, SBSP
Operational system could be developed by 2040
Zero Scalable to provide substantial proportion of energy
looks attractive
Export opportunities for energy and technology
Flexible
Power for humanitarian disaster relief
energy Power for spacecraft and lunar operations 7

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 SBSP Study – scope and approach

This independent study sought to establish: Approach:

 Technical feasibility;  SBSP system breakdown
 Cost and affordability;  Industry workshops
 Economic benefit to UK;  International expert consultation
 Opportunities for international collaboration  Extensive literature review
 Studied 3 SBSP designs

Phase 1
Phase 1 Outputs
 TRL assessment
 Engineering barriers
 Technology roadmap
 Energy tech comparison
 Energy mix scenarios
 UK & International capability
Phase 2
Phase 2 Outputs
 LCOE and cost model
 Development costs
 Direct and spill-over benefits
 UK economic impact, jobs
 Public / private funding
 International outreach

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 Three leading baseload SPS concepts

SPS Alpha Multi-Rotating Joints SPS CASSIOPeiA

John Mankins, USA Xinbin Hou, CAST, China Ian Cash, IECL, UK

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CONCEPT OF OPERATION

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 Fully reusable space transportation – a critical enabler

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Image courtesy of Reaction Engines Ltd

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 Rectenna scale and siting

 Size about 7 km x 14 km in UK latitude. London Array Wind Farm

 Requires contiguous area rated max power 630 MW

 Shown next to London Array Wind Farm to

illustrate relative scale
 Siting the rectennae requires study

SBSP Rectenna 2GW

continuous output

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 Technical Feasibility and wider issues
Political
• Integration with energy policy
• Land use – rectenna sites
•
•
Development timescales
Integration with national infrastructure
• Responsibility & security of operations
• International collaboration
•
Economic
LCOE vs other renewable tech
E L
• Development funding / long ROI
• Economics of Space Launch
• Industrial capability
Social
• Public acceptance of technology & safety
• Requires large contiguous area for antenna
• Influence of high profile individuals / orgs
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Technological
• In-orbit robotic assembly, maintenance
• SPS mass driving launch cost
P T •
•
Size and scale of SPS
Wireless power transmission
• Microwave beam pointing accuracy
• Operational life in space environment
Legal
• Development of regulations
• Spectrum allocation for WPT
• Emerging regulations that impact on
feasibility / cost effectiveness
Environmental & Safety
S E • Rectenna site environmental impact
• Through life carbon / sustainability
• Proving long term operational safety
• Decommissioning strategy / orbital debris
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 Development programme and key milestones

 2026: De-risk system demonstrator

 2031: Orbital demonstrator
 2039: First operational system
 2043: Full capability constellation

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 Is it competitive?
Comparison with other technologies

 Competitive with other

renewable technologies
 Very competitive vs other
‘base-load’ technologies
 Based on 20% hurdle rate

High hurdle rate selected

compared to other technologies
- conservative approach to
costing
- reflects the technical risk and
long payback period.
- LCOE falls to £26/MWh with
hurdle rate of 10%

‘Base-load’ technologies 15

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 Development cost
How much would the Government need to fund?

Our analysis shows that given:

 Lengthy development programme
 Low technical maturity
substantial public funding is required to de-
risk the technology. It should become
increasingly attractive to private investors in
latter stages.

Costs and spend profile

 £16.3 Bn total development cost
 Present Value, includes optimism bias
 £12.7 Bn Public funding
 £3.6 Bn Private funding

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 Substantial economic benefits from public investment

 Overall Benefit-Cost Ratio of 1.8 for the programme Spill over benefits in
 High GDP multipliers - highly productive industries involved  Technology
 Knowledge
GVA economic impact of SBSP development – supporting UK jobs  Commercial

These include:
 Wireless Power Transmission – broad applications
 Highly modular construction for robotic assembly
 Autonomous robotic assembly in challenging
environments
 UK centre of excellence for space operations
 Market drivers for mass manufacture of space
grade electronics
 Market drivers for low cost reusable space
transportation
 International energy trade via power beaming
 Inspiring the next generation - STEM 17

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 Why should the UK develop SBSP?
SBSP development is well aligned with UK Government priorities

Net Zero Economic prosperity

• Make a substantial contribution by 2040+ • Competitive LCOE – affordable energy
• De-risks the Net Zero energy pathways • Economic benefit from development
• Integrates well into future energy mix • Wider spin-off benefits
• Sustainable, zero waste, carbon payback • Export potential

Growing space capability Security of CNI

• Supports goal – 10% of global space market • Security of supply (freedom of action)
• Ability to operate routinely in space domain • Reliability / dependability
• Key technologies – robotics, PV, WPT • Resilience to disaster / terrorism
• Industry, academia and regulator expertise • Sustainability / availability of fuel

UK global position Industrial Strategy

• Major infrastructure programme • Levelling up agenda and regional support
• Global societal benefit • Establish brand new industry / market
• Cutting edge technology, UK leadership • Create high value skilled jobs
• International collaboration • Inspiring the next generation – STEM

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 Why should the UK develop SBSP?
We have unique capabilities, the right expertise and environment

Leading expertise in all relevant disciplines:

 Concentrating space rated GaN PV
 High volume semiconductor manufacture
 Lightweight space structures
 Wireless Power Transmission
 In Orbit Service & Manufacture
 Environmental, orbital dynamics
 Spacecraft electric propulsion

Unique differentiators of UK companies:

 CASSIOPeiA patented solid state SPS
 SABRE air breathing engine

The right innovation environment, technical vitality

 Strong technical enterprise – energy, space, industry & research sectors
 Blend of major primes and innovative ‘New Space’ smaller companies
 Strong financial sector
 World leading space regulation – supports innovation
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 Why should the UK pursue this now?

Over last 50 years, SBSP has been studied periodically by

NASA and others.
 Historically considered attractive but far too costly – space launch
the major cost driver
Why is the concept now viable and affordable?
 Net Zero imperative – nations seek new energy technologies
 Space launch costs falling dramatically and trend continuing
 Hyper-modular SPS designs, industrialised, low mass and cost
 Core technologies of PV, WPT and orbital robotics are maturing

Why does the UK need to start now?

UK development roadmap
 Substantial development programme required
 Early development will give options for Net Zero pathways
 Other nations are actively pursuing SBSP
 Opportunity for UK to show international leadership
 We should seek to reap the benefits as soon as possible
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 Current international programmes and outreach

China: CAST SBSP programme, roadmap published. SBSP test facility being built.
USA: $150M defence research live - lightweight PV/RF sandwich panels; WPT trials on X-37B
Japan: SBSP established as national goal in Basic Space Law. Significant WPT demonstrations.
Australia: Interest at Space Agency & ministerial level. Private SST seeks Gov / international collaboration.
Europe: A number of studies, and current ESA SBSP small scale technology call for ideas.
Canada: Interest at ministerial level but no current programme.

Conclusions:
 Policy-led programmes of scale exist in the USA, China and Japan; strong interest from natural partners.
 Coordination currently via the technical / engineering Space Power Committee of the International
Astronautical Federation – genuine and strong appetite for collaboration from all parties – across boundaries.
 Scope for UK to take a political leadership role. This could be fully open, or focused on natural partners.

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 Study findings and recommendations

Our findings conclude that SBSP…

 is technically viable
 offers new options to deliver Net Zero
 development is well aligned to Government priorities
 leading concepts offer a competitive LCOE
 gives broader economic benefits for the UK
could be developed within 18 year timeframe
 Requires competitive reusable space launch market
 offers opportunity for UK environmental leadership

Recommendations are made to…

 Embed SBSP in Government policies
 Embark on structured development programme
 Seek international collaboration
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 Space Based Solar Power - industry forming
The Space Energy Initiative

 Space Based Solar Power is a

massive and ambitious undertaking,
requiring broad support across
government, business and the public;
 The Space Energy Initiative is a
collaboration of space and energy
sectors, R&T, academia, investors;
 Senior level advisory board being
established;
 Working closely with government, the
aim is to:
 Support co-ordination of R&T;
 build awareness and support across
government and business;
 support international outreach;
 attract investment;
 deliver early development activities; 23

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 Conclusions

“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is

to act with yesterday’s logic.” Peter Drucker
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Space Based Solar Power FAQ
 Space Based Solar Power FAQ
These issues all need proper consideration as part of a development programme

Safety and Environmental

Q: Is it safe for life on earth?
Q: Can it be used as a death ray?
Q: Would it be hazardous to aircraft or spacecraft?
Q: Will it heat up the world?
Q: Will the beam heat the atmosphere?
Q: Could atmospheric scintillation cause a problem?
Q: Will the massive satellites cause light pollution?
Q: What about RF pollution and side lobes?
Q: Isn’t the RF spectrum fully occupied?
A: Yes – the max beam intensity is < 250 W/m2, less than ¼ of the max sun intensity at the equator.
A: No, by design the system cannot be used as or converted into a weapon;
A: Unlikely, but there are mitigations if it is proven to be a problem. Needs study.
A: No - heating is inconsequential, and less than fossil fuel or terrestrial solar (from albedo effect of dark panels);
A: No - negligible absorption / heating in heavy rain, zero absorption in dry weather;
A: possibly, but adaptive optics is a solution – established technology for astronomical telescopes. Needs study.
A: At GEO (38,000 km slant range) they will be invisible. Unlikely to be a problem, but needs study.
A: Managing EMI issues is a key consideration for the design. Needs study.
A: SBSP would need international negotiation with the ITU to allocate a band in the 1 – 10GHz range. Needs study.

Economic
Q: Why hasn’t this been done before? A: Historically it has been unaffordable because of high space launch costs. A range of factors now make it viable.
Q: Why bother when terrestrial solar and wind is cheap? A: SBSP provides base load 24/7/365 which is essential for grid stability with intermittent renewables.
Q: Don’t the conversion efficiencies mean that it’s impractical? A: No. The efficiency from generated DC on the SPS to grid is nearly 60%. Utilisation is nearly 100%.
Q: Does it depend on SpaceX launch? Not a resilient solution. A: True that it depend on a vibrant reusable launch market. SBSP will itself energise that market.

Resilience, Security
Q: Isn’t it vulnerable to attack by a hostile actor?
Q: What about damage from space debris?
Q: What about the Van Allen belt radiation?
A: Pilot beam is encrypted. The SPS is sparse and highly modular, so difficult to degrade. But needs study.
A: Assembly at MEO to avoid LEO debris risk. SPS is sparse and highly modular, so difficult to degrade.
A: Orbits and trajectories need careful design to minimise time in VA belts. Concepts address this risk.
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