Japanese firm wants to transform the Moon into a giant solar power plant

PhysOrg ^ | 6-5-2010 | PhysOrg

[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.

[jonno]

Shades of ‘Helion Prime’.
(http://riddick.wikia.com/wiki/Helion_Power_Network)

It worked pretty well until the bads guys shut it off...

[RansomOttawa]

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

I have a bad feeling about this.

[traviskicks]

And no permits needed for those plants, would be the main draw!

[Captain Beyond]

bflr

[Sawdring]

Just think, that happened 11 years ago. It seems so fresh in my mind.

[jmcenanly]

Old Sci-fi series aside, there have been serious proposals for Lunar Power generation
http://www.acm.org/ubiquity/views/v7i28_kumar.html http://www.shimz.co.jp/english/theme/dream/lunaring.html

[ROCKLOBSTER]

the Moon

Don't WE own that?

[Ronaldus Magnus III]

Wait! First we need to form commissions, then inside of the commissions we will have break-out groups to figure out things. Once all that is done the EPA will form its own commissions and break-out groups to do some more stuff. And then we will have to hire half a million government workers to analyze everything all over again. And then. . . . .

[SunkenCiv]

...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... could meet the entire world's energy needs

...which won't be much, after the entire human population is dead from the lasers and microwave bombardment. :')

[DTogo]

Japanese construction companies running out of useless, corruption-filled, over-budget public works projects at home...

日本＊ピング＊ (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)

[hinckley buzzard]

We just send up some unemployed undocumented immigrants with washrags and buckets. Y'know, do the jobs Americans won't do.

I love this. Japan is planning ways to turn the moon into a solar collector. The US? We're gonna build more windmills.

[grey_whiskers]

...which won't be much, after the entire human population is dead from the lasers and microwave bombardment. :')

So feared Powell and Donovan .

Cheers!

[FreedomOfExpression]

that is what the robot maid is for.

Rosie: "Sure, Mr. Jetson, I mean Shimizu. Clean the solar collectors, Mr. Shimizu."

[Cyber Liberty]

This is nothing. But, if they want to build a wind farm, now that’s something.

[FreedomOfExpression]

“Jose, ¿por qué no puedo respirar? Jose? Ay carumba...”

[Cyber Liberty]

Yeah, but it’s too unreliable....

[surfer]

deathstar...LOL