The world needs clean, inexpensive and reliable power.
There is no clean, firm, dispatchable energy technology other than Space-Based Solar Power.
Fossil Fuels
Expensive/finite and polluting
The vast majority of world energy is still
from fossil fuels
Solar
Variable output/Unavailable at night
Lowest production when we use the most
energy (winter)
Battery energy storage is too expensive
Nuclear
Nuclear (a clean and reliable energy source) is too expensive to build.
The $35B Plant Vogtle has shown we've forgotten how to build nuclear reactors. Rate payers will expect $175/Mwh.
Complexity
Prior designs were highly complex, making development, construction and
iterative improvement impossible.
Gigantism
All previous designs required enormous systems to get started. No ‘start-up’ approach for mega-structures.
Launch Costs
Analyses in the ‘70s required launch prices below $50/kg to orbit
Limitations of Previous Technology
Limitations of Solar and Renewable Power
In Germany solar power runs at a 1–3% capacity factor in the winter.
Large scale solar is nearly useless in the months when electrical demand is greatest.
Solar Power Any Time, Anywhere
Benefits of Space-Based Solar Power
Constant power during all seasons, in any weather, at any latitude.
Minimal need for battery storage and grid improvements, through safe (50% sunlight) microwave wireless power transfer.
Dispatchable to half the planet instantaneously from 40k km apogee.
Smallest renewables footprint (5-20x lower).
Flexible siting, made to integrate with new and existing solar farms, put almost anywhere.
At $30/MWh it can power the world and enable clean chemicals and industry.
