Thermal power satellite design and mass calculation

Abstract

Electricity is a commodity. The primary way to gain market share with commodities is lower prices. Base load electrical energy from coal costs about 4 cents per kWh. Three cent per kWh power from space would undercut coal by 25%. To reach that cost requires a capital investment of no more than $2400/kW ($12 B for a 5 GWe power satellite). This capital investment requires a transport cost to GEO of no more than $200/kg and a specific power of 6.5 kg/kW or less. This paper is an analysis of a thermal type power satellite that may meet the target kg/kW. If we can meet that goal and the transport cost goal, then energy from space will undercut the cost of electrical energy from coal.