Large Scale Commercial Application If the demonstration of solar beamed power proves to be commercially viable in the near terrn, then development of large scale commercial applications (SSPP) should be considered. Additional questions that either raise new issues or re-investigate previously stated issues need to be reexamined: 1) What is the cost of the project? 2) What is the market? 3) What will be the availability of investment capital? S) What will be the expected completion date? 6) When will the project break even? 7) What interfaces should be established with the existing structures of management? 8) What will be the global economic impact of the project? What is the cost of the project? Taking into account previously demonstrated costs, it is important to show accurate cost analysis to convince potential investors of project credibility. Due to past failures and inconsistency in cost analysis (e.g.. Space Station Freedom cutbacks), it becomes critical to have a thorough understanding of the question, “how much will a project of this scale cost?” The main costs to be considered should include the building, operation, and maintenance costs. In addition, the cost of lost investment opportunities should also be investigated. What is the market? An analysis of the market must be performed in order to demonstrate project feasibility and scope. For example who will be the major consumers of solar generated beamed power? Will the main consumers be on the level of countries, power utilities, or individuals? The cost of the energy produced by solar beamed power will need to be compared to the cost of electricity produced by other energy sources. What will the cost of electricity be to the end user? Will that cost be competitive considering the electricity market at project completion? What will be the availability of investment capital? In light of other potential programs for government to invest in, and other more lucrative investments for private enterprise, will there be any available capital to put into a space solar power program? What will be the expected completion date? It will be necessary to establish a schedule and time frame that is realistic and one that is not intimidating to potential investors, i.e. return on investment has to occur within a reasonable length of time. What should the time frame be for such a large and elaborate project? When will the project break-even? The break-even point is reached when revenue completely covers cost, and any extra revenue is profit. Investors are interested in the moment that the project will become profitable. Shorter termreturn (3 to 5 years) on investment, compared to longer term return (more than 5 years),-will determine different types and combinations of investors. For example, a short term break-even point will interest private investors. A long term period may only be supportable by governments. When is it no longer possible to support a project solely through private enterprise? — - What interfaces should be established with existing management structures? Due to the large scale nature and international aspects of the project, it will become necessary to manage it in terms of cost effectiveness, the continuation of the different space programs, the- standardization of space flight equipment, and international cooperation. What interfaces will most effectively operate under these constraints? What will be the global economic impact of the project? A large scale project will affect the global economy and will have to be justified politically, socially, and economically. Questions concerning economic impact include: Will new jobs be aeated or lost? Will there be new technologies created and distributed? Finally, w-hat effects will there be on other world-wide power industries?
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