PG&E to purchase solar power from space
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) may see 200 MW of power coming from solar panels in space from 2016.PG&E has already sought approval from the California Public Utilities Commission for a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Solaren Corporation for buying up to 200 MW of Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) eligible energy from solar panels in space over a 15 years period. The project could go live in June 2016.

According to the application document, the space solar project would send its power to a ground receiving station in Fresno County, and “if completed by 2016, the project would deliver an average of 850 GWh for the first year of the term, and 1700 GWh per year over the remaining term of the PPA.”

“If successful, the Solaren project will provide baseload power from a space-based technology that collects solar energy as it travels in a geosynchronous orbit and converts the energy into radio frequency (RF) power for transmission to a receiving station located in Fresno County, California. The RF power will then be converted to renewable electricity for delivery to PG&E and its customers,” writes PG&E.

“According to Solaren, in 2008, Dr Neville I. Marzwell from NASA JPL [Jet Propulsion Laboratory] conducted a Discovery Channel wireless power transmission demonstration using ground solar cells to generate electricity to drive an SSPA array and transmit RF energy a distance of 92 miles (148 km) between two Hawaiian Islands. Dr Marzwell’s demonstration achieved greater than 90% conversion efficiency of RF energy to electricity.”

PG&E further sates that “as a concept, SSP [space solar power] is clearly an emerging technology,” even though it has been researched in the USA for more than 40 years already.

“Space solar technology is based on components that are in use today or being developed for use with satellite communications, radar systems, and other applications. Consistent with its designation as an emerging technology, these components must be engineered, studied, manufactured and integrated into largescale SSP satellite and ground system architectures,” PG&E says in its application.

“We’re convinced it’s a very serious possibility that they can make this work,” PG&E spokesman Jonathan Marshall told the San Francisco Chronicle. “Its staggering how much power is potentially available in space. And I say ‘potentially’ because a lot remains unknown about the cost and other details.”

According to the Californian daily, Solaren has expressed it has not yet decided whether to use crystalline silicon or thin-film, but that it can say something on the safety or sending electricity from space to earth. The beam would not be a ‘super laser-beam,’ but a diffuse RT transmission that would not hurt birds or airline passengers. The problems with the project, were cited as the risk and costs associated with launching equipment into space.

Solaren was founded in 2001 and the space solar power project with PG&E would be Solaren’s first, and possibly also the world’s first space-based solar power project other than those powering space applications. Solaren reportedly has experienced satellite engineers and space scientists among its workforce. The specialists have been recruited from aerospace organizations such as the US Air Force, Hughes Aircraft Company, Boeing and Lockheed Martin.  
Source: Environmental Leader

PURE RUBBISH ~

The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts, is digging through the dumpster for their summer exhibits. “Trash Menagerie” features the work of 24 artists who have transformed bits of garbage to whimsical animal sculptures. The charming works of wonder playfully engage nature’s relationship to industrialization and encourage viewers of all ages to join the conversation. For more information go to: Source: PEM

How safe are low-VOC Paints?Under the radar for years, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been spotlighted for their negative impact on the planet and possible health risks to humans. They are linked to asthma, skin allergies and cancer. Two companies that offer low or zero VOC paints are Benjamin Moore’s Natura line and some Farrow and Ball paints.

Wireless Possibilities with Solar WiFi

The need for Internet connection and wireless communications is ever-increasing, but expanding wireless internet access to outdoor areas with limited access to electrical grids can be difficult. Up-and-coming solarpowered WiFi technology, however, offers a solution that can be used almost anywhere.

“When you deploy wireless access points, they must hook up to some sort of tower,” says Fred Marks, owner and president at Miracle Strip Wireless Inc. in Destin, FL. “You can either run it into a 110-volt outlet, or you can run Power over Ethernet on a cable. Solar WiFi is a different animal; you can install this device just about anywhere, but the power comes directly from the sun.”

Because solar WiFi receives its energy from the sun, it doesn’t require electrical, allowing the system to be self contained and, therefore, flexible. According to Sanjit Biswas, CEO and cofounder at San Franciscobased Meraki, the “development of solar WiFi was driven by a desire to minimize effort for installation and operation of wireless networks, and make wireless more attainable and affordable in areas where extending electrical power can be expensive and time consuming.”

The easy installation means that solar WiFi can be installed in a number of applications, including parks, residential complexes, and hotels. “The only disadvantage is that it must be deployed outdoors to receive the sun’s energy,” says Biswas. “A solar-powered wireless network providing coverage indoors would require additional devices.”

Solar WiFi is a relatively simple system – it consists of a solar panel installed on a pole and a solar-charged battery system that operates a specially designed, low-power-consumption wireless radio. A single pole or access point can get up to 1,000 feet of coverage. And, aside from the alternative power source, solar WiFi provides the same quality wireless Internet services as traditional WiFi.

The green aspect of solar-powered WiFi is also of interest to potential users, although Biswas says, “the most significant cost-saving, green benefits come from not needing to install and run power cabling. Installing power cables could add 20 to 30 percent to the overall deployment cost.” Sometimes, running cables isn’t an option in certain locations; however, the cost of the solar equipment can become pricey. “You definitely pay a premium,” says Marks, who notes that there can sometimes be a $600 price difference between solar and traditional WiFi equipment. But, solar WiFi panels have the added benefit of easy maintenance. “The only special requirement is access to the sun,” says Biswas. Marks says that the panels stay clean from rainfall and are resistant to weather, such as lightning and salt air from the ocean. “The only maintenance is keeping the birds off,” says Marks.

Solar WiFi isn’t yet widely used in the United States; according to Biswas, though, “the concept is growing in popularity, and we expect that to continue for some time.” Marks is also confident in increased use of solar WiFi in the future: “I think you’re going to see solar take off,” says Marks.

Amanda B. Piell is news editor at Buildings magazine.

"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds"

- Sir Francis Bacon