Posted on 06/04/2010 8:55:37 PM PDT by mainsail that
(PhysOrg.com) -- The Shimizu Corporation, a Japanese construction firm, has recently proposed a plan to harness solar energy on a larger scale than almost any previously proposed concept. Their ambitious plan involves building a belt of solar cells around the Moon’s 6,800-mile (11,000-kilometer) equator, converting the electricity to powerful microwaves and lasers to be beamed at Earth, and finally converting the beams back to electricity at terrestrial power stations. The Luna Ring concept, the company says, could meet the entire world's energy needs.
Shimizu envisions that robots would play a vital role in building the Luna Ring. Teleoperated 24 hours a day from the Earth, the robots would perform tasks such as ground leveling and assembling machines and equipment, which would be done in space before landing them on the Moon. A team of astronauts would support the robots on-site.
Due to the massive amount of solar panels and other materials needed for the project, Shimizu proposes that lunar resources should be used to the fullest extent possible. The company’s plans call for producing water by reducing lunar soil with hydrogen imported from Earth. Lunar resources could also be used to make cementing material and concrete, while solar-heat treatments could help produce bricks, glass fibers, and other structural materials needed for the project.
The Luna Ring itself would initially have a width of a few kilometers, but could be extended up to 400 kilometers wide. The electric power generated by the solar cells would be transmitted by electric cables to transmission facilities on the near side of the Moon, which is constantly facing Earth. After the electricity is converted into microwave beams and laser beams, 20-kilometer-diameter antennas would beam the power to receivers on Earth. A guidance radio beacon would ensure accurate transmission to the receivers. The energy would then be converted back to electricity and supplied to grids, or possibly converted to hydrogen for fuel or storage.
Shimizu points out that one of the biggest advantages of the Luna Ring is that, since the Moon has virtually no atmosphere, there is no bad weather or clouds that could inhibit the efficiency of the solar panels. As such, the Luna Ring achieves 24/7 continuous clean energy generation, potentially ending our reliance on limited natural resources.
watching way too much anime
...
They’ll say it would pollute the moon or something —just watch.
Imagine when the tracking control for the “beam to earth” fails. Oops....There goes California in a blaze of Glory.
Would someone please Cap that beam!
Funding for this study will be in the next Pelosi Energy Bill.
What could POSSIBLY go wrong?? I’m sure the failsafe systems will work properly. And there won’t be any unanticipated failure modes. “Just plug the damn beam!”
My thought exactly. That would be something to hack!
“Japanese firm wants to transform the Moon into a giant solar power plant”
Well, don’t we all?
I hope they can make it work. Screw the camel jockeys.
LOL...
“Funding for this study will be in the next Pelosi Energy Bill.”
No, she will say Wisconsin needs to study this to determine the effect on the cheese industry. Next report to be made 8 years hence.
Except that for half of the lunar calendar the DARK side of the moon is facing the earth.
There is no dark side of the moon, really, matter of fact it's all dark.
I thought that ionized moon dust sticking to things was a problem that had to be contended with in any attempt at a long stay on the lunar surface. It seems like it would cause an efficiency problem on the panels.
If solar power is so ineffective, why not build 100 nuclear power plants on the moon and convert the electrical energy to a beam shot back at the Earth. Unless we find that the “Moon is a Harsh Mistress.”
Does Ernst Stavro Blofeld know about this?
Hey since this is Japan then there is already video of what will happen there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8trsDPpAI5E
And
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOiSU36_WTU&feature=related
oh no!!!! The moon is transforming into Unicron!!!!
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