Value chain · CLM-1051
In plain terms
The DOE studies compared space solar against six power-station types picked by stated rules; ground-based solar cells were put in specifically to be the like-for-like comparison, and fusion because DOE was spending heavily on it, not because it would be ready.
The claim as recorded
The programme's comparative assessment screened 31 central-station technologies under three ground rules - baseload service, fuels available after 2000, central-station scale - through an expert qualitative screen and an equal-weighted five-criterion score to ten, then to six by seven final criteria of which two were written for particular technologies: terrestrial photovoltaics is the only one meeting "the special criterion established to provide for a direct comparison of photovoltaics in space versus nonspace applications", and magnetic-confinement fusion was included as the one long-term source "which receives heavy development funding", "even though commercial application may be one to several decades after the year 2000". The six: light water reactor with improved fuel utilisation, coal with improved environmental controls, open-cycle gas turbine with integral low-Btu gasifier, terrestrial photovoltaic, liquid metal fast breeder and magnetic-confinement fusion; decentralised systems were deferred.
Evidence behind this: T3-the programme's own selection report: a stated screening process and its criteria, not a measurement of anything.
Scope and limits
1980 US central-station view; oil, gas, hydro, geothermal and all decentralised options excluded by rule; the scoring is a consensus of an unnamed expert team; the SPS itself was not scored. Table 4.2 marks criterion 7 (the long-term, heavily funded source) Y for the liquid metal fast breeder as well as for fusion; the claim's "the one long-term source" follows the prose on printed 13, which selects the LMFBR on its ranking and fusion on the funding criterion.
What it assumes
No assumptions are recorded against this claim.
Where it comes from
PDF p.6 normalised: the three ground rules. PDF p.7 normalised: "31 candidate technologies were identified". PDF p.15 normalised: "Only one technology, terrestrial photovoltaic (TPV) meets the special criterion established to provide for a direct comparison of photovoltaics in space versus nonspace applications"; "even though commercial application may be one to several decades after the year 2000". PDF p.16 normalised: criteria 6 and 7 as quoted. PDF p.4 normalised: the six.
Related records
- Answers question
- QST-008 not published in this releaseQST-021 not published in this release
Cite this
energyaperture.com/c/clm-1051
CLM-1051, Energy Aperture, as of 1980-04.