A new concept of space solar power satellite

• Published in: Acta astronautica Vol. 136; pp. 182 - 189
• Main Authors: Li, Xun, Duan, Baoyan, Song, Liwei, Yang, Yang, Zhang, Yiqun, Wang, Dongxu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elmsford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Antennas; Capacitors; Electric power; Electric power transmission; Energy conversion; Incidence; Inductive power transmission; Microwave power transmission (MPT); Solar energy; Solar generators; Solar power; Space solar power satellite (SSPS); Sunlight; Microwave power transmission (MPT); Space solar power satellite (SSPS); Energy conversion; Inductive power transmission
• ISSN: 0094-5765; 1879-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.03.017

Space solar power satellite (SSPS) is a tremendous energy system that collects and converts solar power to electric power in space, and then transmits the electric power to earth wirelessly. In this paper, a novel SSPS concept based on ε-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial is proposed. A spherical condenser made of ENZ metamaterial is developed, by using the refractive property of the ENZ metamaterial sunlight can be captured and redirected to its center. To make the geometric concentration ratio of the PV array reasonable, a hemispherical one located at the center is used to collect and convert the normal-incidence sunlight to DC power, then through a phased array transmitting antenna the DC power is beamed down to the rectenna on the ground. Detailed design of the proposed concept is presented. •A novel SSPS concept made of ENZ metamaterial is proposed.•The whole condenser is a non-moving structure.•Inductive power transfer method is introduced in the rotating-joint design.•A stepped amplitude distribution is proposed for the transmitting antenna.