An Indian Defense Ministry-backed report suggests a joint US$10 billion (€7.65 billion) Indian-US space based solar power generation program would be good for political relations as well as reducing greenhouse gases. US Air Force lieutenant colonel Peter Garretson, in conjunction with the Institute of Defense Studies, New Delhi (India), wrote a report recommending the Indian and US governments forge a strategic partnership to make space-based solar energy commercially viable by 2025. President Obama’s November visit to India may be the venue to announce the partnership.
The proposal is to have a five year pre-program development program, costing US$10-30 million (€7.65 - €22.96 million) to eliminate risk and to identify the advanced technology needed for the project. Followed by a US$10 billion (€7.65 billion), ten year international project to design, manufacture, and launch an orbital solar power generation system.
Since India and the US are both major greenhouse gas emitters, developing technology that will reduce their emissions is seen as a progressive approach to dealing with climate change. India has great solar power potential but scarce land areas to implement it, while the US would like to be a world leader in the renewable energy and, being a late entrant in the field, needs to play catch up.
A space-based system therefore seems to fit into the plans of both countries. For India, it is a potential major international step up, and a great opportunity to grow in stature in Asia, and counter China’s growing influence. Unfortunately, politics always gets in the way, and India has yet to sign the Missile Technology Control Regime, meant to prevent the spread of missile technology. The US is concerned about the spread of nuclear weapons technology (such as from Pakistan to North Korea) and nuclear weapons delivery systems.
In a world facing great uncertainty due to the causes, effects and consequences of global climate change, it seems the last thing that we need is to add in global politics that are likely to muddy the waters and likely add greater risk of projects failing to deliver on their clean energy promises.
Via CleanTechnica, YahooNews & SiFyNews
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