The construction of solar power plants in space will be inexhaustible and the inexhaustible solar energy will be converted into huge electric energy which will then be converted to other forms of electricity and back to Earth. For decades, many scientists have worked hard to achieve this magnificent project. However, the cost issue has been a huge obstacle to the development of space-based solar energy technology. In this connection, at the 6th China Energy and Environment Summit recently held, a reporter from China Energy Daily interviewed Mark Hopkins, president of the US Space Technology Association.
Reporter: As early as 1968, the American scientist Peter Glaser first proposed the idea of ​​building a space solar power station. Nowadays the concept is no longer fresh and many countries are studying the project. However, the cost issue has remained unresolved. Has this problem been effectively solved in the past two years?
Hopkins: At the moment, the research on space solar energy in various countries has encountered the problem of high cost. In accordance with the current state of the art, the initial stage of the cost is also very high, roughly calculated to 100 billion US dollars.
But this problem is not unsolvable. One of the ways to reduce costs is to improve the state of the art. In addition, the satellite components of the initial space solar project need to be built on Earth. However, if space solar projects can source raw materials from the moon and / or asteroids, a huge market will be created. Scientists have a common understanding in this market that a large part of the satellite components can be built at a lower cost by using materials in space rather than on earth, thereby avoiding the high shipping costs from Earth to space.
Currently, space solar projects have utilized a large amount of space energy and materials that can also be cost-effectively deployed in potential space applications. So I think this will be a very effective way to solve the cost problem.
Reporter: Once the cost of solving the problem, the space solar power generation will have what kind of application prospects?
Hopkins: As a new alternative energy source, space solar power has enormous potential. A successful space solar project should be able to provide the Earth with a lot of electricity at a competitive price. Therefore, in 2011, former Indian President Dr. Abdul Kalam and I have issued a joint statement, hoping to establish an international working group on space solar power research, which is now the global space solar generator Electric Group. At present, the project mainly consists of four member countries: India, the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom. Many countries, including China, are also constantly studying this project. Among them, Japan put forward a national plan of "promoting the utilization of space and energy" in 2003 with the goal of commercialization of space solar power 20 to 30 years later. They plan to launch the first satellite associated with space solar power by 2030, so we will still have 10 to 30 years to optimize this project.
Reporter: From 2011 till now, you have come to China more than once to give a speech for your global solar power project team and its research. What are some new developments in your project promotion in China at present? What are the benefits of joining the Global Solar Power Project?
Hopkins: I think international cooperation is very important to this project. First of all, the countries or countries that completed this project will eventually have more advantages to improve themselves. In the long run, any country that holds the space resources of the solar system will control most of the energy needed for human economic activities, so that it will have economic and military superiority. Therefore, international cooperation in space solar research is extremely important.
This is my third trip to China. As far as I know, there are a number of scientists in China who are studying this field at the moment. Therefore, we very much hope that China will also participate in it. Space solar power projects can not do without space technology. In recent years, China's space technology has developed rapidly. I think that China's accession will surely bring a lot of new ideas to this project.
In addition, during the visit of Dr. Kalam to China in November last year, the Chinese government formally proposed to Dr. Kalam his hope of participating in the study. I am very concerned about this, I hope the next substantive progress. At the end of September, I will also attend the space conference held in China. I hope to further exchange views with Chinese political and academic circles on this project.
Reporter: What next are your plans to promote the space solar program, which will attract more countries to participate?
Hopkins: We hope more countries will participate in this project so that we can gather the wisdom of the world and choose the best solution.
For this reason, in the coming months, we plan to hold a meeting in India on the intent of the international cooperation in the project. The meeting is hosted by India and the United States will participate. Earlier we had the relevant conference in India. In May of next year, the United States will hold the International Space Energy Development Conference, which is also the 2014 meeting organized by the American Space Society.
Next winter, the Global Solar Solar Research Group plans to discuss the joint statement in Japan. In addition, we hope to discuss the legal issues related to this project in Canada.
In my opinion, the space solar power project is not only related to the development of a country, but also to the development of the whole world. Through this project, we can solve the problem of shortage of resources, make progress together and create a better future for all mankind!
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