Statistics – Applications
Scientific paper
Jan 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002aipc..608.1168p&link_type=abstract
SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL FORUM- STAIF 2002. Conference on Thermophyiscs in Microgravity; Conference on In
Statistics
Applications
High-Current And High-Voltage Technology: Power Systems, Power Transmission Lines And Cables, Spaceborne And Space Research Instruments, Apparatus, And Components, Solar Power
Scientific paper
In Space Solar Power Satellites (SSP), gigawatts of electrical power would be collected from 100's of thousands of m2 of solar panels, carried by multi-kilometer long transmission lines, distributed for distances of 100's of meters over a microwave transmitter, and beamed down to Earth. SSP's using conventional conductor transmission/-distribution (T/D) systems must operate at high voltages (~100 kilovolts) and require heavy power conversion equipment to match the high voltage T/D system to the low voltage (e.g., 100's of volts DC) solar panels and microwave transmitter. In contrast, superconducting (SC) T/D systems operate at low voltages and high DC currents, eliminating the heavy power conversion units. Moreover, they can operate with many massively parallel independent circuits, enabling greater reliability and reducing the risk of failure. A T/D system for the Sun Tower SSP that uses existing superconducting and cryogenic technology is described. Low voltage (~100 volts) DC power is collected and conveyed over several hundred parallel circuits to the microwave transmitter. The SC T/D system utilizes high temperature superconductors (HTS) for power distribution on the solar panels and the microwave transmitter, and low temperature superconductors (LTS) for power transmission from the panels to the transmitter. While HTS power lines are attractive because they would operate at a temperature of ~70 K, their current density (A/cm2) is too low by a factor of 10 to meet weight goals for the long transmission distance (e.g., ~5 kilometers) in Sun Tower. Instead, the transmission lines use LTS superconductors (Nb3Al or Nb3Sn) at 6 K, which operate at a current densities than HTS conductor. Insulation and refrigeration for the T/D lines is simpler than on Earth, due to the absence of an atmosphere. With a 70 K thermal radiation shield, the thermal refrigeration load is only a few watts for a 5 Km long transmission line at 6 K. .
Maise George
Paniagua John
Powell James
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