Value chain · CLM-1219
Low confidence
The evidence behind this statement is thin, indirect or second-hand. Read it as a lead to check, not as a settled finding.
In plain terms
SPS-ALPHA's mirrors concentrate sunlight about three times on the array. The report estimates that five times would save almost 15,000 tons, if the array could stand the extra heat.
The claim as recorded
In SPS-ALPHA's DRM_5 sensitivity study 4, raising the concentration ratio from 3-to-1 to 5-to-1 would cut platform mass by almost 15,000 tons; the report calls these results highly preliminary.
Evidence behind this: The concept author's own sensitivity study, described as highly preliminary.
Scope and limits
HIGHLY PRELIMINARY, BY THE REPORT'S OWN WORDS. The higher ratio depends on materials and devices that work at higher temperatures than those available in 2012 (PDF 75). "Tons" is the report's unit and is not defined as metric. Figure 7-6 was not read.
What it assumes
That 3-to-1 is the baseline ratio, because the sensitivity runs start from D5/C1 (PDF 73) and PDF 75 raises the ratio from 3-to-1. The pages read do not say "baseline 3-to-1" in so many words.
Where it comes from
PDF 75, raw: "This question was examined by means of architecture level changes that would result from allowing the concentration ratio to increase (which would increase the temperature at the PAA. These results are highly preliminary, but very suggestive for the prioritization of future technology R&D." and "increasing the concentration ratio from 3-to-1 to 5-to-1 would reduce the SPS-ALPHA platform mass by almost 15,000 tons".
Basis: concentration ratio (suns); platform mass (tons)
Cite this
energyaperture.com/c/clm-1219
CLM-1219, Energy Aperture, as of 2012-09.
Connected records
Other published records linked to this one. A list, not a judgement.
- Also from SRC-027
- CLM-0188 (low confidence)A 2012 NASA-funded concept study shows its own cost estimate falling from about $3.26 per kWh for a small near-term system down to about 9...CLM-1218SPS-ALPHA's design catches sunlight with a few thousand units of large, thin plastic-film mirrors. The mirrors are grouped into several...CLM-1220The receiving site sends a guide signal up to the satellite, and the satellite's many small transmitters use it to line up their beams on...CLM-1321The 2012 design study for SPS-ALPHA put the weight of its 2 gigawatt satellite at about 35,000 tonnes, about half of it in the transmitter.