ations, since with the possible exception of certain parts of the North and West Scottish coasts, a rectenna would never be far from the main distribution network. The 5 GW "quantum" in itself poses no great problem - current power stations of 2 GW output are being built. However, there is a difference which is of concern to our Central Electricity Generating Board. Current 2 GW stations are composed of 500 MW units; "outage" of one unit is acceptable, that of two units can be handled. Total and virtually instantaneous loss of 5 GW, due to a malfunction or disturbance to the phase control system, would throw an intolerable load on the distribution control system. Acceptability of the system would be enhanced by subdivision of the MPTS and the introduction of redundancy in critical elements, such that the probability of losing more than 1 GW at any one site was greatly reduced. The second feature of concern to the Utilities is that which has often been mentioned as a "selling" point - that is, its constancy. Currently in the UK, baseload demand is about 20% of peak (10 GW : 50 - 55 GW). Present policy is that this load should be met by Nuclear Power. Nuclear Stations are not very amenable to load-following. SPS then becomes a direct competitor for a small proportion of the total demand. This proportion may change by AD 2000, but SPS acceptability would be greatly enhanced if it were more flexible and possessed some measure of capability for load-following, such as varying the solar flux incidence angle to the array; although this might pose thermal problems. POLITICAL AND PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY Political acceptability cannot yet be judged; although interest has been expressed by many members of Parliamentary and other official bodies. The European position is made more difficult by the lack of an overall Energy Authority like the US Department of Energy. The International Energy Authority possesses very limited terms of reference at present, but could possibly be expanded to fill the role. The European Space Agency has the expertise (and in many quarters the interest) to co-ordinate the Space aspects, but at present has no mandate to consider Energy projects. The position of the UK Department of Energy is that the environmental problems are the key, but will take no action until a decision to proceed is taken by the US. The UK Government's Energy policy is founded on present self- sufficiency, and relies for the maintenance of such self-sufficiency on the expansion of Nuclear Power, on Energy Conservation, and on economic competition between rival sources coupled to a "realistic" pricing policy, which should aid conservation! Some research into alternative energy sources is supported, mainly those which are indigenous and therefore support self-sufficiency. Public acceptability has not yet been tested, since the concept is little known. Steps are being taken to widen contact with the concept; British Aerospace and its fellow contractors are currently sounding opinions from a wide range of British industrial, academic and research organisations, and a Press Conference is shortly to be held. However, an initial Press Release issued at the time of the award of the current Government Study Contract elicited considerable reaction from the media, whose response has been interested and not unfriendly.
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