Solar Power in Space Can Power the Planet

The 21st century is full of examples of sci-fi becoming just plain science, and none is more startling than PowerSat Corporation's determination to float solar panels in space to trap sunlight and beam the energy back to earth in the electromagnetic equivalent of radio waves.

It's an idea ahead of its time, but solar radiation is five times stronger than any place on earth because all the atmospheric particulates and carbon dioxide don't reduce solar inputs. There are also no clouds or storms to worry about; thus the Sun transfers nearly 100% of its energy to the solar panel.

There are, however, obstacles to space-based solar power, one being getting the panels into the ionosphere without spending a gazillion dollars, and the other involves wiring the array.

PowerSat recently filed a patent meant to solve both problems. Of course, we can't give you the precise details, but it seems the company will build a solar array and use the power from that (code name SPOT, or Solar Power Orbital Transfer) to launch some (half, one-quarter?) of the panels into orbit via electronic thruster technology - a move that reportedly saves $1 billion.

The second solution is similar to cloud computing, or linking remote desktops to create a more powerful computer. Reportedly, PowerSat's system - code name Brightstar - could connect as many as 300 smaller arrays into one huge one, convert the direct-current (DC) energy into radio-frequency energy, and beam that down to earth to be converted into electricity at the substation. Scotty is not part of that plan, however.

PowerSat says the inventions could save $1 billion of the estimated cost of putting 2,500 megawatts of solar panels in space, but doesn't say how much money is still required to accomplish the feat. A 2007 Pentagon report suggests $1 billion per megawatt, with the project technically doable by 2016. Still, if one does the numbers, the distance to grid parity remains enormous. At least on earth, we're getting close to parity, with the U.S. aiming for $.10 cents in 2010 and Europe, with its much higher utility costs, expecting parity within a decade.

Parity is the point at which renewable energy technologies like solar and wind cost customers the same amount per kilowatt hour as traditional energy sources like coal and oil.

PowerSat isn't the first company looking to space for solar energy. Two months ago, Solaren announced a contract with California-based Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), which has promised to buy its entire output of space-based solar power - 200 megawatts by 2016.

Solaren, now 10 years old, remains confident it can meet that deadline. PowerSat, a mere eight years old, seems equally confident of its expertise. Is it the optimism of youth, or do these guys know something that has eluded the rest of us science neophytes?

Time will tell, perhaps in as little as three years, when PowerSat launches a low-earth-orbit, 10-kilowatt demonstration project at a cost of about $100 million, followed in 2015 by a prototype. If success ensues, the company will seek out a partnership with a utility or the government, or offer an IPO to generate the funds needed for step two. Projections estimate the cost of a 2.5-gigawatt project at about $4.5 billion.

Transformer Oil Maintenance

Energy transformers are critical components of the energy distribution grid and it is therefore important to have a monitoring and maintenance plan in place to preempt their failure. One of the critical components of an energy transformer is the transformer oil.
A transformer operates in a moisture free environment and even the slightest moisture can seriously reduce its life. Most companies have an oil maintenance schedule to monitor the condition of oil and detect a problem before it causes extensive damage. Oil testing during maintenance also helps detect problems like contact arcing, aging insulating paper and other latent faults.
Steps for Collecting Oil Sample for Transformer Oil Testing:
Oil testing is a critical process it can be done before the transformer start-up, during a routine transformer inspection or in any circumstances indicating possibility of damage to the transformer, particularly when a protective device is triggered.
To collect an oil sample a sampling valve located near the bottom of the tank is used. Transformer oil is a hygroscopic substance and must be protected from contact with moisture. It is therefore important to place the collected oil sample in a clean dry container.

Oil Treatment Guidelines
Following are the oil treatment guidelines which can prolong the life of transformer and save a company thousands of dollars:

• Purify when the acid level is still low, i.e. <0.1 mg
• Regenerate preferably from 0.1 mg KOH/g oil to avoid precipitation of sludge
• Desludge when the acid level is >0.20 mg KOH/g oil
• Dry-out when the solid insulation is wet >3.5 % MDW

Purification, a method of transformer oil maintenance
Purification is the process by which moisture and gasses are removed from the insulating oil. This process readily dries up the oil but not the insulation system, this is because the drying depends on the rate of diffusion of water through the paper into the oil, which is slow. Frequent processing is necessary to attain the degree of dryness desired in the cellulose insulation.
Even though the purification method is not the best, it is an effective moisture management tool. It is used widely in the industry to effectively reduce the moisture content and elevate the dielectric strength of the oil in wet core situations.

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