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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

太空电站充电时基于真实手臂模型的SAR分析

空间太阳能电站所提供的将是高功率的电磁能量,在执行无线供电的过程中,将会在被供电设备上再次激励起不同频率的电磁波,对人体健康产生一定的威胁。对于低频的电磁波可以将人体整体等效为一个简易模型,分析电磁波对人体健康的影响。但是,当频率逐渐升高,其波长将和人体的局部组织尺寸可比拟,此时必须采用真实的人体模型才能更精确地分析电磁波对人体的影响。为此,文章研究5.8GHz频率下,基于真实手臂模型的比吸收率。利用平面波照射真实手臂模型,分析手臂表面以及透射到各个关键局部区域体积内的SAR值,可为高频率情况下电磁波对人体健康的影响提供一定的参考。

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。

无线电能传输技术在空间太阳能电站中的研究与应用现状分析

空间太阳能电站是高效利用太阳能以解决当下严峻的能源危机的有效途径,如何实现电能从空间太阳能电站到地球的空-地传输是关键。无线电能传输技术可实现电能的非接触传输,并且具有较高的安全性、可靠性和便捷性,是解决空-地电能传输问题的有效措施。对无线电能传输技术在空间太阳能电站中的研究与应用现状进行了分析,并据此阐述了亟待解决的瓶颈问题和待进一步发展的关键技术,旨在为后续相关科研工作者提供参考和指导。

激光无线能量传输远场大光斑测试技术

无线能量传输系统作为空间太阳能电站的一个关键部分,其性能直接决定了空间太阳能电站技术的可行性。特别对于激光无线能量传输系统,准确测量激光远场光斑分布是分析和评价激光无线能量传输系统性能的有效手段。针对太阳能发电卫星轨道高、激光传输距离远、接收激光光斑面积大,并且受大气影响,光斑抖动严重,光斑能量分布以及光斑形状测量困难的问题,文章提出了基于光能探测器阵列的大面积激光光斑测试方法,采用光斑分布式测量及能量分布重构方法,完成激光无线能量传输系统远场光斑的测试,具有分布式测量,可灵活布局的特点,通过反演算法能够实现光斑能量密度分布重构,接收激光功率积分求解,光束发散角计算等,功能多样,适应能力强,为激光无线能量传输系统载荷的参数修订,以及在轨飞行任务的评价提供有效依据。

新型大尺度空间微波功率发射阵列的考虑

以空间太阳能电站为应用代表的微波功率传输系统中,微波功率发射阵列是其中的核心组成部分。为保证特定传输距离限制下的波束收集效率,目前国际上多种空间太阳能电站方案中收发天线口径都达到了km级以上。在空间构建大尺度的微波功率发射有源相控阵,面临的主要问题有:发射阵列电性能的高要求、发射阵列折叠状态的总体积限制、大功率发射阵列的热控问题。针对这些问题,文章提出了新型大尺度空间微波功率发射阵列的一些研究及设计考虑,主要包括大尺度阵列同源分发倍频的频率分配方案;高效率高集成功率发射组件技术;大尺度阵列相位同步与误差自校正技术;低剖面天线结构及型面误差补偿技术;大型天线3D打印在轨建造方案设想以及空间微波功率发射阵列热控新思路等。文章提出了新型大尺度空间微波功率发射阵列3个方面的6个主要问题,可为空间太阳能电站系统提供可优化、开放性的设计与发展思路。

面向空间太阳能电站应用的超大规模天线阵列模块尺寸与姿态偏差效应分析

空间太阳能电站微波能量传输需要具备超大规模的相控阵列波束形成和超高精度的波束指向控制能力。采用大尺寸的基本相控电单元能够缩减天线阵列规模和微波发射通道数目,从而显著降低微波能量发射系统的构造和组装成本。然而,相控单元的尺寸越大,对天线模块的结构刚性和姿态控制精度要求越高。基于天线阵列的结构化构型设计,提出超大规模回复反射阵列的结构模块和相控电单元的尺寸分析模型,推导得到结构模块姿态偏差、电单元尺寸要求和能量传输效率的近似关系及其解析表达式,可供作为空间太阳能电站微波传能天线阵列及其波束控制方案设计的参考依据。

多旋转关节空间太阳能电站概念方案设计

对于国际上典型的空间太阳能电站概念方案进行了分析,在此基础上提出了一种新的概念方案——多旋转关节空间太阳能电站,并给出总体构型和主要分系统初步方案设计结果。该方案采用多个相互独立的太阳电池子阵代替了传统的整体式太阳电池阵,以多个中等功率的导电旋转关节替代传统的极高功率的旋转关节,不仅解决了传统空间太阳能电站方案中的极大功率导电旋转关节技术难题,还可以避免导电关节的单点失效问题,模块化的设计也使得系统的组装和构建更加可行。

空间太阳能电站微波能量传输验证方案设计

微波能量传输技术作为空间太阳能电站(Space Solar Power Station,SSPS)的关键技术之一,目前的研究和验证工作均集中在各单项技术的突破和验证,缺乏针对SSPS系统特点的全面优化设计。文章根据SSPS的工作模式给出了全面验证空间太阳能电站微波能量传输的验证系统方案设计,对收发天线进行了一体化设计,利用了幅度近似高斯分布的发射阵列场分布设计和低反射的接收整流阵列设计,以高精度来波方向测量和高精度移相控制为波束指向控制的技术途径。对验证系统的波束收集效率进行了分析,收集效率可达94.2%,比传统均匀分布系统高出17.6%。验证系统可从系统规模缩比、波束扫描范围、发射天线口径场分布、整流天线处功率密度、反向波束控制方法等方面模拟SSPS微波能量传输工作模式,推动SSPS系统技术的发展。

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。

空间太阳能电站地球同步拉普拉斯轨道动力学特性

现有关于空间太阳能电站(Space Solar Power Station,SSPS)轨道动力学的研究中,均将其放置于地球静止轨道(Geostationary Orbit,GEO),然而这并非最优的工作轨道。文章提出了一种优于GEO的地球同步拉普拉斯(Geosynchronous Laplace Plane,GLP)轨道。首先,建立了轨道运动模型及影响轨道运动的摄动模型,包括地球非球形引力摄动、日月引力摄动、太阳光压力摄动及微波反冲力摄动;然后,提出了评估空间太阳能电站轨道的3个指标:接收功率、轨道适用性和安全性,并据此分析了GLP轨道相对于GEO的优势。最后,给出了数值仿真算例。结果表明:在发电功率大致相同且满足供电需求的情况下,工作在GLP上的SSPS每年大约能节省用于轨道保持的燃料36 453.4kg。

光压摄动对空间太阳能电站轨道的影响研究

针对以重力梯度稳定方式设计的3种典型空间太阳能电站轨道动力学问题,提出了考虑地影和有效截面积变化的太阳光压模型.首先,采用能量方法,通过Legendre变换,引入广义动量,建立了Hamilton体系下轨道的正则方程;其次,采用辛Runge-Kutta方法求解相应的正则方程;最后通过数值试验分析,验证了模型的有效性以及数值求解方法的稳定性.同时,说明了地影和有效截面积变化对空间太阳能电站轨道有显著的影响;给出了空间太阳能电站对其半长轴、离心率以及轨道倾角的轨迹曲线,为空间太阳能电站的设计提供一种理论参考.

空间太阳能电站统一调度设计及电能管理分析

针对多旋转关节空间太阳能电站(Space Solar Power Station,SSPS),提出一种环形拓扑的电力系统架构。基于功率分层准则对SSPS电力拓扑架构进行设计,提出U1～U7共7个层级、母线电压5000V、功率等级为MW的太阳能电站电力系统。针对分层架构中多太阳电池阵子阵并联(U6层),提出分层功率平衡统一控制策略,对MPPT控制、MPPT控制+稳定直流母线电压混合控制、MPPT算法+下垂稳定直流母线电压混合控制三种控制方法开展仿真分析。结果表明,提出的基于虚拟阻抗的下垂控制策略可以有效调节、分配功率,解决了空间发电站母线电压无法稳定的问题。