Robin van Spaandonk wrote:
"Space-based solar power may become an important energy source as fossil-fuel
supplies dwindle in midcentury: A single 1-kilometer-wide solar array could
collect enough power in a year to rival the entire world's oil reserves."
This is wrong. It would in fact only produce enough to cover the oil usage of
the US alone for about a day.
Yes, I noticed that number is wrong. I posted some info on space
based generation some month ago.
Anyway, it does have the potential to supply all energy on earth with
very little ground based infrastructure, and the collection grids on
the ground could be built on top of grass and plants. The incoming
beam would not harm people, wildlife or plants, so it is a big plus.
I think it is the most promising alternative, except for cold fusion.
- Jed
