Getting Space Solar Power off the Ground

WILLIAM MANESS ON WHY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND POWER GRIDS AREN’T GOOD PLAYMATES AND HIS PLANS FOR BEAMING SOLAR POWER FROM SPACE. in Seed Magazine

Seed: What makes it superior to other forms of alternative energy?
WM: The way power is actually generated and handled in the world involves something called “dispatchable” power. Alternative energy is generally intermittent, and thus not dispatchable. Dispatchable means a utility can make a contract with someone that says, “On December 21st of 2011, I want you to carry 1,000 megawatts of my load for six hours.” So they make a financial contract, and these things are traded back and forth. This economic system behind [power generation] is the cornerstone of what keeps our lights on.

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