Multi-objective optimisation of integrated space-based and terrestrial solar energy systems

This paper proposes the simultaneous optimisation of a combination of a number of ground solar power plants with a space-based solar plant (SPS) delivering electric power for European needs. A simplified mathematical model of the integrated space and ground system is developed and used to quantify the mass in space and the cost of the ground plants. The model takes into account the geographical location of the ground stations, the size of the power storage units as well as the orbital motion of the SPS. An evolutionary algorithm is then used to find the optimal trade-off between size and location of the space segment and cost of the ground segment. The results in this paper provide an insight in the usefulness of the support that an SPS system can provide to a ground-based solar power generation system.