Solving all the world’s energy problems for once and forever

Abstract

The ultimate baseload power is that which can be delivered from orbit, especially if constructed from in situ materials. Power satellites can deliver GW-class power to municipal statistical areas and industrial parks using wireless power transfer from phased array antennae. Two recent innovations allow for a low specific cost (USD/kWh) at maturity, along with a small carbon footprint (gCO2(eq)/kWh). Remote from cities, local power and heat can be produced from non-food biomass. For villages and settlements in rural areas, agricultural residues can be converted to a tar-free hydrogen-rich syngas suitable for hydrogen extraction or as a fuel for an electrical generator (fuel cell or internal-combustion engine). This proven technology provides always-on power to off-grid locations, as well as heat for cooking or sterilization. Furthermore, with dry feedstock, the process generates biochar that can augment soil productivity, and be carbon-negative as well. Mineral ash from biomass conversion includes silica that can be reduced, with biochar, to produce metallurgical grade silicon. That silicon can be made porous with a chemical etch, and treated with a transition metal to produce a hydrogen storage medium. The parasitic energy loss of charging and discharging catalytically-modified porous silicon is very low, and it has negligible leakage. These qualities make for an ideal choice in fuel cell vehicles and portable electronics. Hydrogen can come from biomass in the countryside, or from powersat electrolysis during periods of low demand in the city. Taken together, these complementary technologies can power all of human needs for all time to come.