large power plants which use other renewable energy sources, in particular terrestrial solar or tidal power plants. It will be characterized by regular interruptions in operation during nights when the satellite finds itself in the Earth's shadow. Therefore, the energy storage systems or duplication of capacity at other (traditional) power plants will be required. It should be noted that the strict "hovering" of the satellite over one point (rectenna) can be provided only, if the geostationary orbit comes strictly along the equator (the rectennas in this case are located on the equator itself). It also turns out to be possible to launch satellites onto the orbit at a small angle to the equator. In so doing the satellite will shuttle along the proper meridian, crossing the equator twice a day and moving away from it to both sides at a certain distance which depends on the orbit angle to the equator. If this angle is relatively small, the satellite will be constantly seen from the points situated close to the equator and the given meridian. It seems possible to arrange constant reception of energy from the satellite to the rectenna situated in such a point by the corresponding focusing of a microwave beam. However, on the whole the energy from satellites on the geostationary orbit can be received only in a certain "equatorial" zone whose width must be determined by ballisticians. For some reason this constraint on the use of SPS is not noted in [2,6], If several (especially dozens of) solar power satellites are launched, their role in WES and the effect on its modes will be essential. Interruptions in power supply at nights are in principle less painful than irregular interruptions (due to weather or Lunar cycles), particularly in the day and evening time. In electric power systems such interruptions in power supply from rectennas can even assist in solving the problem of a night gap in load. However, a large share of rectennas in electric power systems can stipulate special measures to be taken. They may include either the mentioned storage systems or the duplicating capacities of the traditional power plants or power supply from the neighboring systems with excessive base power. Principally it is possible to transmit power for very long distances (5-10 thousand kilometers) in the longitudinal direction from the rectennas, whose satellites are lighted by the sun, towards the rectennas situated in the shadow. The choice of these measures requires special studies. On the whole a strict regularity of interruptions in SPS operation at nights is their positive feature in comparison with other renewable energy sources. Note that the problem of interruptions in power supply is typical of all renewable energy sources except for geothermal energy. Possible solutions are determined by specific sources and conditions of their use. However, a large-scale use of renewable energy sources in WES is characterized by some general features and trends: 1. Until the creation (invention) of cheap energy storage installations of large capacity renewable energy sources of large capacity will be applied in the systems (first of all in electric power systems) as a rule for fuel saving with complete duplication of their capacity. It is explained by the fact that at present pumped storage plants whose cost is comparable with the cost of other traditional power plants are the cheapest storage plants. If this cost is added to the cost of power plants on renewable sources and the obtained sum is increased in proportion to which the guaranteed (leveled) capacity of the renewables is lower than their installed capacity, specific costs on a guaranteed
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==