Difference between revisions of "Space Based Solar Power"
Exoplatz.org>Strangelv (categorization) |
Exoplatz.org>Hkhenson |
||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
The ratio between the $1600/kW cost and the cost that comes out of the formula (~2 cents per kWh) is close enough to 80,000 to one. Electric power cost is proportional to the cost of a power satellite (or any power source that has no fuel cost) in this ratio for this discount rate and years of service. | The ratio between the $1600/kW cost and the cost that comes out of the formula (~2 cents per kWh) is close enough to 80,000 to one. Electric power cost is proportional to the cost of a power satellite (or any power source that has no fuel cost) in this ratio for this discount rate and years of service. | ||
| − | The UK government has determined that 3.5% discount is proper for projects of this kind. Using 3.5%, the electric cost comes out at just over 1.5 cents per kWh. It's a live spreadsheet, try your own numbers. | + | The UK government has determined that 3.5% discount is proper for projects of this kind. Using 3.5%, the electric cost comes out at just over 1.5 cents per kWh and ~100,000 to one. It's a live spreadsheet, try your own numbers. |
[[Category:Earth Orbit]] | [[Category:Earth Orbit]] | ||
Revision as of 18:35, 8 October 2014
The Wikipedia's take on the topic is here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power
Economics of Solar Power Satellites
In the absence of other forces such as legal requirements, power satellites compete in the energy market.
That means close attention to cost.
Levelized cost of power
The formula for the levelized cost of electricity is here; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_electricity_by_source
The below spreadsheet assumes $1,600,000 per MW as the initial cost and 10% per year of the cost for maintenance. Power satellites run supplying base load, here I assumed ~91% of the time, it may be higher.
The discount rate is 6.8%, same as the government uses for other sources.
The ratio between the $1600/kW cost and the cost that comes out of the formula (~2 cents per kWh) is close enough to 80,000 to one. Electric power cost is proportional to the cost of a power satellite (or any power source that has no fuel cost) in this ratio for this discount rate and years of service.
The UK government has determined that 3.5% discount is proper for projects of this kind. Using 3.5%, the electric cost comes out at just over 1.5 cents per kWh and ~100,000 to one. It's a live spreadsheet, try your own numbers.
