ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC ISSUES RELATED TO DEPLOYMENT OF THE SATELLITE POWER SYSTEM: A WHITE PAPER by Thomas E. Baldwin, Lawrence G. Hill, Danilo J. Santini, and Erik J. Stenehjem ABSTRACT Growth in energy consumption has stimulated interest in the exploitation of renewable sources of electric energy. One technology that has been proposed is the Satellite Power System (SPS). Before committing the U.S. to such a large program, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are jointly participating in an SPS Concept Development and Evaluation Program. This white paper on industrial and population relocation is part of the preliminary evaluation of related socioeconomic issues. The white paper documents the results of four preliminary assessment activities which are as follows: 1. Review existing literature dealing with industrial location, attendant population migration, and the role of electricity availability and pricing as factors influencing economic movements. 2. Identify economic and demographic issues relating to the deployment of SPS. 3. Consideration of the potential significance of these sociodemographic impacts in terms of expected public acceptance by appropriate interest groups. 4. Recommend additional study needs and the most advantageous approaches to these studies. The conclusion of this preliminary assessment is that FY 1979 study should be concentrated in four assessment areas: (1) rectenna siting strategies, (2) the expected effects of marginal and average cost pricing on industrial and population relocation, (3) the future impact of rectennae siting, and (4) the responsiveness of industry to locate facilities according to the availability and cost of electricity. Long-term research should address the question of whether SPS will contribute to the centralization or decentralization of economic activity and society.
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