When we think of the
environment, we do not immediately jump to thinking of outer space. The
environment usually conjures up images on Earth of breathless beauty, but this
does not mean a solution to renewable energy is bound to the limits of our
planet.
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The SPS-ALPHA or solar cup
for short is a giant satellite shaped like a cup. The purpose of the SPS-ALPHA
is to collect solar radiation, concentrate it, and send it down to Earth via
radio waves. The radio waves can then be converted into electricity. The solar
cup has the potential to power 1/3 of the world’s energy needs due to its
vastness and proximity to the sun, though not all at once (Ferreira, 2013).
NASA has contracted a
private group headed by John Mankins to work on the blueprints of this innovation.
Mankins’ report came out in mid-2012 stating the feasibility of this
innovation. The report includes the technological makeup of the SPS-ALPHA, the
transportation of the satellite, and the possibility of the solar cup becoming
privatized.
The solar cup would be made
of millions of hexagonal, thin mirrors (Mankins, 2012). The mirrors would be
aligned to face a single solar cell on the back of the solar cup. This solar
cell would convert the radiation to radio waves and send it to Earth where a
receiver would convert the radio waves to electricity (Mankins, 2012). Swarm
technology has made this project a possibility; each piece of the solar cup is
like an individual ant or bee where all the pieces work together for a common
goal (Ferreira, 2013). The pieces know when each other needs to be left alone
or repaired.
The drawbacks include mainly
the huge costs associated with such a project: the initial costs of building
the pieces, the cost of transportation, the cost of maintenance, and the
availability of markets. There are criticisms from other scientists saying the
radio waves would be too weak and easily scattered (Ferreira, 2013) to get as
much power from the SPS-ALPHA as Mankins states is possible.
Some benefits of this
innovation include fitting the world with a reliable and green source of energy.
The SPS-ALPHA would allow developing nations to do so sustainably. The solar
cup would be a reliable source of energy in the face of natural disasters due
to it being unaffected by weather. Mankins predicts it could eventually be
cheaper than coal and oil (Mankins, 2012). Energy from this innovation can be “exported” to anywhere in the world and it would make the United States an energy
independent country.
The SPS-ALPHA will not stop
climate change, but it will be a small step for the environment and a huge leap
for the people of Earth.
Solar
Cup Image via NASA.
Destiny Allen is a candidate for Bachelor of Science, class of 2015, with a concentration in Environment,
Economics, Development, and Sustainability from the School of Environment and Natural Resources at the Ohio State University.
This story is part of the Collegiate Corner, a section of ENN dedicated to student work. All work in this column is the product of the student in its entirely. If you have questions about the Collegiate Corner or would like to submit please contact: rblackstone@enn.com.