화학공학소재연구정보센터
Journal of Energy Engineering-ASCE, Vol.139, No.1, 2-7, 2013
Sailing Solar-Cell Raft Project and Weather and Marine Conditions in Low-Latitude Pacific Ocean
Development of a huge wind-sailing solar cell raft (SCR) with dimensions of 5 x 5 km is proposed, which can generate electricity comparable to a 1,000-MW nuclear power plant in low-latitude Pacific Ocean. Solar energy of 8 k . Wh/m(2)/day or more is targeted because the SCR navigates in fine weather using weather satellites. The generated electricity will be transported by battery tankers loaded with a tremendous number of high-energy-density batteries. Studies based on available data indicate that there are vast open seas in the tropical Pacific Ocean, where the maximum solar energy attains 7 k . Wh/m(2)/day annually on average and conditions of winds, waves, and sea currents are favorable for the solar energy system to operate. Three major technologies for breakthrough to realize this system are discussed from their future perspectives. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000088. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.