Ground Side Infrastructure for Space Based Solar Power

Space Based Solar Power offers potential for clean, independent energy delivered to traditional and non-traditional power users around the globe. Of particular interest are the nontraditional power users, which may include those located in remote areas, hostile zones or on mobile sites. Facilities on the ground will receive the power from the space based solar satellite, transform it into usable electricity and distribute it to the users. The ground side infrastructure for Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) faces many of the same site challenges as both power plants and launch sites. Site layout and selection are needed to maximize the functionality and safety of the site for the equipment, workers, surrounding population, and environment in a manner similar to that used for site layout and selection of the launch sites. However, the nature of some of the nontraditional users will drive special considerations for layout, deployment and reliability. Site layout needs to be accomplished in a thoughtful, deployable and economical manner. While SBSP does not have a government regulation board of its own, the receiving site will have to comply with appropriate federal regulatory bodies. Even though the ground facility for receiving the power from a solar satellite will have different requirements depending on the end user for the power and the power transmission method used by the satellite, certain approaches and themes are evident. This paper will illustrate some of the options in the initial concept design of ground side infrastructure.