Electric utility interface issues for power beamed from space

Abstract

The feasibility of interconnecting space-based power sources to the terrestrial power grid is examined. The work is intended to provide background information on the various issues that must be faced and to provide discussion on the basic procedures that are followed today. Because the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has legal jurisdiction, with enforcement authority, over interstate commerce of electrical energy in the US, rules and regulations set down by this body apply directly to any space-based system connecting to the grid. However, the FERC has never placed grid commerce above grid reliability. The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) provides voluntary leadership in matters related to maintaining grid reliability and has developed and endorsed detailed procedures for grid interconnections that have been approved by the FERC. To contemplate seriously space-based power supplied into terrestrial-based grids, it is essential to understand the background and present-day positions of the FERC and the NERC as well as the technical issues associated with grid interconnections.