Three basic siting scenarios are possible: o Remote location with transmission to demand o Remote location with demand moved to supply. This was done with western hydropower o Design SPS for joint land use in or around demand centers (over a water reservoir or special farming area) How human settlement patterns change depends on the location of SPS rectenna sites in relation to year 2000-2030 population and industry centers and each scenario would create different effects. The SPS Comparative Assessment is examining the land requirements of SPS and alternative technologies and will provide information to more fully answer this question. The final comparative assessment report is due in June 1980. II.4 Would the SPS be functional soon enough to obviate massive coal and oil shale exploitation or do the timeframes for utilization of these alternative technologies and attendant environmental impacts overlap? U.S. energy consumption is expected to increase at a small, but significant rate in the midterm (1985-1995). A recent DOE Energy Information Administration study26 projected energy consumption to increase at annual rates between 2.8% and 1.6% for the midterm period. Although this is lower than historic trends (the annual rate of increase for the '62-'72 period was 3.8%), by 1995 it will result in annual energy consumption, respectively, 165% or 135% greater than 1977 consumption of 80 quadrillion Btu. Continued reliance on fossil fuels will accompany this increase at least through the short and mid terms. The level of development and utilization of coal and other fossil fuel sources during the next 20 to 30 years will depend on the actual increase in demand for electricity and the degree to which conservation options are utilized by society. The SPS holds promise only for the long term, and could not make a significant contribution to electric supply for the next 25 years. 26___________________ Energy Supply and Demand in the Mid-Term: 1985, 1990 and 1995, DOE/EIA-O1O2/52 Order No. 476. April 1979.
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