Optimal Sizing and Siting of PV and Battery based Space Microgrids near the Moon's Shackleton Crater (original) (raw)

Design of Space Microgrid for Manned Lunar Base: Spinning-in Terrestrial Technologies

ESPC2019 Proceeding, 2019

The present study analyses the design of the power system of a manned lunar base, in Shackleton crater, using well-established terrestrial technologies deriving from DC microgrids with increased fault-tolerance needs. Expected luminance data from 2020 is used in order to select the ideal base location in terms of mean annual solar irradiance, according to which, the sizing of the power generation and storage units is performed. The proposed grid topology is meshed in order to satisfy the high reliability requirements of a manned space mission and, at the same time, to reduce the mass/ volume budgets of the mission. The load profile is constructed using a set of notional loads. Furthermore, a novel solar array configuration is proposed under the scope of maximizing the energy production under the specific irradiance of the base siting. After preliminary sizing is performed, a series of microgrid-related technologies is suggested, covering all levels of grid design, control and protection.

Space Microgrids for Future Manned Lunar Bases: A Review

IEEE Open Access Journal of Power and Energy, 2021

Several space organizations have been planning to establish a permanent, manned base on the Moon in recent years. Such an installation demands a highly reliable electrical power system (EPS) to supply life support systems and scientific equipment and operate autonomously in a fully self-sufficient manner. This paper explores various technologies available for power generation, storage, and distribution for space microgrids on the Moon. Several factors affecting the cost and mass of the space missions are introduced and analysed to provide a comprehensive comparison among the available solutions. Besides, given the effect of base location on the design of a lunar electrical power system and the mission cost, various lunar sites are introduced and discussed. Finally, the control system requirements for the reliable and autonomous operation of space microgrids on the Moon are presented. The study is complemented by discussing promising future technological solutions that could be applied upon a lunar microgrid.

Investigating the Optimal Use Case For Space Solar Power Systems

We examine the optimal role, or use case, for a space solar power system (SSPS) in an electrical grid by using a full year of historical load data from three U.S. cities in different climate regions to drive a simulation of load and supply. We include the impact of the eclipsing of the power station during each equinox season. SSPS operation through eclipse requires over-sizing the space power station relative to the load, and storing the difference in energy for use during the eclipse seasons. We found the optimal use case for SSPS in cities north (south) of the subtropic region is providing the base-load supply and that load chasing may be the optimal use case for cities in the sub-tropical and tropical regions. Further analysis is needed to confirm this latter result.

Comparative analysis of solar power satellite systems to support a moon base

2020

This paper compares different concepts for a space-based power system to support a lunar base: a solar power satellite (SPS) with a microwave wireless power transmission system (WPT), a hybrid configuration where two solar reflector satellites (SRS) fly in formation with the SPS and concentrate sunlight onto the SPS, and the CASSIOPeiA SPS system. Sizing of the transmitting and receiving antennae is conducted for a WPT concept utilising high frequency microwaves. Design of the microwave generator is based on gyrotron technology, with parabolic reflectors, and an array of rectifying patch antennae. The WPT solution consists of a number of satellites with solar arrays and transmission capabilities to provide continuous power to the receiving array. Solar reflectors alleviate the issue of day-night cycles, for ground-based solar arrays, by providing constant sunlight. This concept could be extended by increasing the irradiance provided by the reflecting satellite, thus decreasing the s...

Distributed power from solar tower systems: a MIUS approach

Solar Energy, 1999

One of the short-term priorities for renewable energies in Europe is their integration into communities and energy islands for local power supply (blocks of buildings, new neighborhoods in residential areas, shopping centers, hospitals, recreational areas, eco-parks, small rural areas or isolated ones such as islands or mountain communities). Following this strategy, the integration of small solar tower fields into so-called MIUS (Modular Integrated Utility Systems) is proposed. This application strongly influences field concepts leading to modular multi-tower systems able to more closely track demand, meet reliability requirements with fewer megawatts of installed power and spread construction costs over time after output has begun. In addition, integration into single-cycle high-efficiency gas turbines plus waste-heat applications clearly increments the solar share. The main questions are whether solar towers can be redesigned for such distributed markets and how to make them feasible. This paper includes the design and performance analysis of a 1.36 MW plant and its integration in the MIUS system, as well as the expected cost of electricity and a sensitivity analysis of the small tower plant’s performance with design parameters like heliostat configuration and tower height. A practical application is analyzed for a shopping center with a solar tower producing electricity and waste heat for hot water and heating and cooling of spaces.

Comparative Analysis of Energetic Performance of Various Photovoltaic Power Stations.pdf

Problemele energeticii regionale , 2018

Factors affecting the production of electricity by photovoltaic (PV) power plants are studied. It is worth noting that reducing the shade and orientation to the sun are effective solutions for an increase in the production of electricity by these PV plants. A brief overview of the features of stationary installations and installations in the tracking of the sun is presented. The purpose of the paper is to justify, develop, and describe a generalized approach to analyzing the operation and methods of tracking the sun by the platforms with photovoltaic modules so as to increase the specific energy density obtained from a given surface of the photovoltaic installation. A concept is formulated and the generalized mathematical model is developed for different photovoltaic plants with fixed and mobile platforms, taking into account the shading effect of photovoltaic modules mounted on different platforms. Based on the decomposition concept, the optimization problem is solved on the criterion of the maximum value of the electric energy and the occupation of the smallest area of the site for a PV plants. A software for calculating the electricity produced by PV plants with stationary and mobile platforms was elaborated according to their location on the land meant for a certain PV plants. Specific electricity production kWh / (m2*day) indices were determined for different PV plants, taking into account the shading factor. It was found that the PV plants equipped with three-coordinate orientation systems can produce the largest amount of energy, in addition, providing higher energy performance indices compared to those of other types of PV plants.