Energy conversion materials for the space solar power station

Since it was first proposed,the space solar power station(SSPS)has attracted great attention all over the world;it is a huge space system and provides energy for Earth.Although several schemes and abundant studies on the SSPS have been proposed and conducted,it is still not realized.The reason why SSPS is still an idea is not only because it is a giant and complex project,but also due to the requirement for various excellent space materials.Among the diverse required materials,we believe energy materials are the most important.Herein,we review the space energy conversion materials for the SSPS.

Multi-Layer and Multi-Objective Optimization Design of Supporting Structure of Large-Scale Spherical Solar Concentrator for the Space Solar Power Station

Space solar power station is a novel renewable energy equipment in space to provide the earth with abundant and continuous power.The Orb-shaped Membrane Energy Gathering Array,one of the alternative construction schemes in China,is promising for collecting space sunlight with a large-scale spherical concentrator.Both the structural and optical performances such as root mean square deformation,natural frequency,system mass,and sunlight blocking rate have significant influences on the system property of the concentrator.Considering the comprehensive performance of structure and optic,this paper proposes a novel mesh grid based on normal polyhedron projection and spherical arc bisection for the supporting structure to deal with the challenge of the large-scale structural modular design.For both achieving low system mass and high surface precision,a multilayer and multi-objective optimization model is proposed by classifying the supporting structure into different categories and optimizing their internal and external diameters.The Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is adopted to find optimal sectional dimensions of the different kinds of supporting structure.The infinite model is also established and structural analysis is carried out,which are expected to provide a certain reference for the subsequent detailed structural design.The numerical results indicate that the spherical concentrator designed by the novel mesh grid would obtain as high as 94.37%sunlight collection efficiency.The supporting structure constructed with the multiple layers would reduce the system quality by 6.92%,sunlight blocking rate by 28.54%,maximum deformation by 41.50%,and root mean square by 9.48%to the traditional single layer,respectively.

Technical challenges of space solar power stations:Ultra-large-scale space solar array systems and space environmental effects

Space solar power station(SSPS)are important space infrastructure for humans to efficiently utilize solar energy and can effectively reduce the pollution of fossil fuels to the earth’s natural environment.As the energy conversion system of SSPS,solar array is an important unit for the successful service of SSPS.Today,solar arrays represent the standard technology for providing energy for spacecraft,thanks to their high conversion efficiency and reliability/stability in orbit.With the development of solar arrays,many new materials,new photovoltaic devices and new control systems have emerged.Solar arrays are directly exposed to the space environment,and harsh environmental factors can degrade the performance.To ensure the long-term safe inorbit service of SSPS as well as its ultra-large solar array,these new materials,devices,and control systems must operate certification and evaluation that can be used in space applications.In this review,the development history and research progress of SSPS and the corresponding space solar arrays are summarized and discussed,and the space environmental effects of solar arrays are analyzed at multiple levels(materials,devices,and systems).Finally,in response to the current space environmental effects of the ultra-large solar array used in the SSPS,future development trends and challenges are proposed.

Technology Roadmap for Space Solar Power Proposed by Chinese Scientists

As a result of Japan raising the alert level at its quake-damaged nuclear plant from four to seven on a seven-point international scale of atomic incidents,which was caused by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake

Distributed power conditioning unit of large-scale space solar power station

In this paper,a multi-bus distributed Power Conditioning Unit(PCU)is proposed for the Space Solar Power Station with large scale photovoltaic(PV)array and power levels reaching MW level.In this unit,there are multiple independent PV arrays.In each PV array,there are multiple independent PV subarrays.In this paper,a V-P droop control method with adaptive droop coefficient is proposed,which modifies the droop intercept based on the bus voltage deviation and the power per unit value of the PV array.This method ensures the accuracy of bus voltage and achieves proportional distribution of power between PV arrays based on the proposed topology structure in this paper.When the load changes or the output power of the PV array fluctuates,this method can ensure that power is distributed proportionally.The principle and control method of the proposed droop control method is analyzed in this paper.The effectiveness of the method is verified through MATLAB/Simulink simulation and experiment.Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve power distributed proportionally when load changes and PV output power fluctuates,reduce bus voltage error caused by line impedance and differences in rated power of different PV arrays,and improve the performance of PV power generation system applied to space.

Theoretical and experimental studies of retro-reflective antenna array for microwave power transmission from space solar power satellite to earth

The development of space solar power satellites aims to harvest solar power by artificial satellites over the earth’s geostationary orbit and then deliver the harvested power to the earth wirelessly.The retro-reflective antenna array technique is believed to be a close-to-optimal technical approach to achieve efficient wireless power transmission from a geostationary satellite to the earth,as it is capable of generating a microwave power beam aiming at a ground station on the earth via analyzing a pilot signal broadcasted by the ground station.In this paper,some of our preliminary research outcomes on retro-reflective antenna array for space solar power applications are reported.In the theoretical part of this paper,closed-form formulations with precision better than the classic theory of phased array are derived to analyze the performance of retro-reflective antenna array when the far zone condition is not satisfied between the space solar power satellite and the ground station.In the experimental part of this paper,a bench-scale retro-reflective antenna array with physical dimensions of about 0.6 m by 0.6 m is fabricated and tested.The theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that the microwave beam generated by a satellite-borne retro-reflective antenna array could be adjusted in real time to aim at the location from which the pilot signal stems.Based on the theoretical and experimental studies of this paper,systematic research endeavors are being conducted on the retro-reflective antenna array for space solar power applications.

Research on PV array reconstruction and Full-cycle maximum power point tracking technology of space solar power station

Space solar power station is an energy system that converts solar energy into electrical energy in the space environment and then transmits it to the space platform or ground using wireless power transmission technology.To improve the power generation and system efficiency of the space solar power station,an adaptive and reconfigurable photovoltaic array with multi-configuration is proposed,which can avoid large attenuation of the output power and efficiency of the photovoltaic array when the photovoltaic modules have a fault occurs or the receive different irradiation intensity.Then,according to the orbit area and light condition of the space solar power station,the operation mode are divided in detail.Furthermore,a novel full-cycle and multi-mode GMPPT(maximum power point tracking)strategy is proposed.Compared to the single mode MPPT,the control strategy has shorter response time,faster convergence and higher tracking accuracy.Through the above research,the output power and photoelectric conversion efficiency of space solar power station can be significantly improved.

Study on Multi-Rotary Joints Space Power Satellite Concept

The Space Power Satellite(SPS) would be a huge spacecraft capturing the power of solar radiation in space and to supply electric power to the electric grid on the ground. The SPS concept was proposed by Dr. Peter Glaser in 1968. SPS have been studied now for exactly fifty years by many scientists in various countries. It has been regarded as one of the most promising energy projects of the future and has been attracting more attention in recent years. More and more Chinese scholars and experts are paying attention to the development of SPS. Due to the huge size, immense mass and high power of such a satellite system, there are many technical difficulties which exist to realize SPS. In this paper, recent SPS research and development activities are reviewed first. Various SPS concepts are analyzed and compared. The primary scheme of the Multi-Rotary joint SPS(MR-SPS) is described. The main feature is that the huge solar array comprising many separate small solar sub-arrays and each solar sub-array has two middle power rotary joints. So, the most challenging technology, the high-power rotary joint, is simplified by using many middlepower rotary joints hence the possibility of a single-point failure of a single rotary joint is avoided. This enables easy assembly of the modular solar arrays. Finally some key technologies of MR-SPS are analyzed.

A review of dynamic analysis on space solar power station

The concept of a space solar power station(SSPS)was proposed in 1968 as a potential approach for solving the energy crisis.In the past 50 years,several structural concepts have been proposed,but none have been sent into orbit.One of the main challenges of the SSPS is dynamic behavior prediction,which can supply the necessary information for control strategy design.The ultra-large size of the SSPS causes difficulties in its dynamic analysis,such as the ultra-low vibration frequency and large fexibility.In this paper,four approaches for the numerical analysis of the dynamic problems associated with the SSPS are reviewed:the finite element,absolute nodal coordinate,foating frame formulation,and structure-preserving methods.Both the merits and shortcomings of the above four approaches are introduced when they are employed in dynamic problems associated with the SSPS.Synthesizing the merits of the aforementioned four approaches,we believe that embedding the structure-preserving method into finite element software may be an effective way to perform a numerical analysis of the dynamic problems associated with the SSPS.

Impact of solar cell failure on the performance of solar arrays in space

Space solar power station adopts large-area solar arrays for efficient photovoltaic conversion,making it one of the best solutions to future energy problems.In-orbit failure of solar arrays can affect the service life of spacecraft,thereby it is crucial to comprehend the impact of solar cell failure on the electrical performance of solar arrays and propose appropriate circuit design criteria.The root cause of solar array failure is the degeneration of solar cells.In this paper,power loss caused by an open circuit or short circuit failure of solar cells in pure parallel and series–parallel circuits is described,and it reveals that an open circuit of the cell is more harmful in the pure parallel circuit,while a short circuit in the series–parallel circuit is more detrimental,which causes loss of electrical performance in series and parallel units,respectively.All conclusions have been validated through model calculations and corresponding experiments.The electrical loss is also influenced by the control mode.For the Maximum Power Point Tracking control mode favored by space solar power station,which can significantly increase generated power,application suggestions have been proposed based on the results of cell failure analysis.The research will provide a reference for circuit selection and boundary design for solar arrays,reducing the probability of solar array failure and saving the manufacturing and redeployment costs of space solar power station.

基于变遗忘因子的空间太阳能电站时变频率辨识

考虑空间太阳能电站(SSPS)在轨运行时帆板旋转所导致的系统变构型特征,提出一种变遗忘因子广义子空间跟踪器(VFF-GYAST)递推辨识方法,在轨辨识该时变动力学系统的模态频率参数,以提高GYAST方法对于这类时变系统的跟踪能力。基于模态综合技术和子结构方法,建立多旋转关节构型SSPS(MJ-SSPS)的时变姿态-振动耦合动力学方程;根据投影子空间理论,通过计算系统均方差来确定递推过程中的时变遗忘因子,以提高GYAST方法的跟踪性能并辨识得到系统的时变伪模态频率参数。数值仿真结果表明:所提方法能够有效地识别该大型柔性系统的时变频率参数。与传统的递推子空间方法相比,所提方法具有较高的抗噪声干扰能力,在低量测信噪比时所提方法对于频率辨识结果的相对误差的平均值小于5%,且对时变系统的跟踪性能优于基于固定遗忘因子的原始方法。

Effect of operational condition of rotational subsystem on attitude control for space solar power station

Space Solar Power Station(SSPS)is a giant spacecraft to collect space solar energy and transmit electric energy to the ground by using the wireless transmission technology.As a concentrated space solar power station,SSPS via the Orb-shape Membrane Energy Gathering Array(OMEGA)system is comprised of the concentrator subsystem,the photovoltaic array subsystem and the transmitting antenna subsystem.In this manuscript,the comprehensive study on the coordinate kinematic among subsystems is carried out.Firstly,kinematic analysis and dynamic analysis are conducted.Secondly,under the condition of ideal attitude,the influence of the moving condition of the Photovoltaic(PV)array on the overall system is studied.Finally,the control ability for the deviation attitude caused by the acceleration process of the photovoltaic array is studied.The simulation results demonstrate the serious influence of the angular acceleration of the photovoltaic array on the system’s attitude and the validity of the designed attitude control system.

SSPS太阳能收集系统研究现状及发展趋势

为研究太阳能收集系统在未来空间太阳能电站(SSPS)中的发展和应用,对比和分析国内外典型系统设计方案的结构特点、光收集特性及优、缺点,展望空间太阳能电站太阳能收集系统的发展趋势,并提出对新材料、新结构、新技术、新理论和新方法的发展和应用需求。

空间太阳能电站发展及研究

随着国际能源危机的日益紧迫,空间太阳能电站(SPS)概念受到了世界各国的广泛关注,发展SPS,优化能源结构也成为我国解决能源需要的可靠途径。本文对SPS的起源、概念和发展历程进行了阐述,针对当前SPS典型系统模型,分析和总结了SPS的关键技术。结合我国当前的技术水平和未来科技发展的进步,对我国发展SPS提出了设想,采用先进的轻型薄膜聚光设计概念初步提出了一种新型SPS构型,并介绍了该构型的组成、功能及光路设计。该结构大大减小了系统质量,降低了运载的发射成本和发射难度,可为未来我国SPS的发展提供有益补充和借鉴。

空间太阳能发电用复合材料及其结构

空间太阳能发电作为清洁能源获取的一种方式越来越来引起人们的普遍关注。空间太阳能发电卫星要求超大型的结构系统,轻质结构材料及其结构成为系统的关键性问题。本文论述了空间太阳能发电系统的原理,材料要求,智能结构,如主动控制以及光纤传感器结构健康控制等。

空间太阳能热动力系统的全局优化研究

为了为今后空间太阳能热动力发电系统的设计提供热能有效利用方案,提出了空间太阳能热动力发电系统的评价准则,建立了系统质量计算的数学模型,利用复形法编制了太阳能热动力发电系统的优化程序,运用该程序对太阳能热动力发电系统进行了全局优化分析,得到了系统各参数的最佳值和最佳工况下的系统部件质量。研究结果表明,全局优化可使系统发射总质量下降11.1％;发射总重量的评价准则综合考虑了系统质量和阻力面积,能够全面反映系统的经济性能,可以得到很好的优化结果。

国际空间太阳能电站的发展现状

根据“’９７空间太阳能电站国际研讨会”资料分析，综合概述当前国际空间太阳能电站的发展现状，包括空间太阳能电站项目的论证和实施情况，相关技术的进展概况，空间太阳能电站发展的困难、机遇和任务目标等。总之，世界空间太阳能电站项目的发展虽然进展缓慢，但相关技术的深入研究和世界环境需求使其发展时机越来越成熟。目前存在的困难在于缺少研究资金的投入，今后的主要工作是取得公众的理解和政府的积极支持。

微重力条件下热管吸热器瞬态热分析

基于微重力条件下的导热控制微分方程,采用焓法对热管吸热器相变材料容器进行了二维数值建模与仿真,在同时考虑空穴和相变的情况下,对微重力条件下蓄热单元相变传热进行了模拟计算,分析了空穴率对蓄热容器内部的温度场和热性能的影响,并将计算结果同美国航空航天局(NASA)方案热管吸热器蓄热单元相变传热计算结果进行了比较,验证了文中微重力条件下计算模型的合理性与准确性。研究结果表明:空穴影响着蓄热单元相变的进程,空穴的存在增加了容器内部的温度梯度,使得容器的蓄热能力降低;由于热管径向温差较小,热管壁温在相变材料熔点附近变化较小,从而在一定程度上能缓解热斑和热松脱现象。

空间太阳电池发展现状及展望

电源系统是卫星的重要分系统之一 ,几乎所有的卫星均需配置一个合适而可靠的电源分系统。电源分系统在整个卫星系统中所占质量的比例是最高的[1] ,因此对电源系统的研究就非常重要。多数地球轨道卫星都采用太阳电池阵与蓄电池联合供电系统。空间的环境非常恶劣 ,温度起伏大 ,高能粒子多 ,使得工作在其中的太阳电池必须具备性能稳定和抗辐照等特性。文中对空间太阳电池系统的发展现状作了较为详细的介绍 ,比较分析了硅太阳电池与其它几种材料的空间太阳电池的发展现状和优缺点 ,得出了硅电池仍是目前空间应用的最佳选择的结论。还介绍了几种高效硅太阳电池及当前的发展水平 ,通过比较分析 ,提出了空间太阳电池的未来研究方向。

空间太阳能热动力系统的轻量化研究

为了降低系统的质量和阻力面积,运用系统分析的方法,建立了空间站太阳能热动力发电系统的物理和数学模型,提出了发射总重量的系统性能评价准则,并对不同条件下的系统部件质量进行了数值模拟,分析了不同操作参数对系统部件质量的影响规律。研究结果表明,操作参数对系统部件质量有正负两方面的影响,优化这些参数可以明显降低系统的发射总质量。