Figure 48 Amplitron-Aluminum MPTS Comparison Figure 49 Comparison of 5 GW Systems A summary budget of MPTS efficiency is given in Figure 50 showing sets of values appropriate for initial deployment, for nominal design and for goals believed appropriate to a fully matured technology. Detailed estimates and tradeoffs were done in this study at the conservative 58% level. A direct capital cost evaluation for a complete SPS 5 GW baseline system is given in Figure 51 for the range of power source characteristics and as a function of orbital transportation and assembly costs. All estimates are in 1975 dollars. The principal uncertainties are seen to be the power source and transportation-assembly costs, with MPTS efficiency following and MPTS ground manufacturing cost last in importance. The relative impact on the cost of energy in mills/per kWhr of these factors is similar, as shown in Figure 52. It was assumed in computing energy cost that a lump sum funding is obtained for ground construction at program start and a second lump is obtained for transportation-assembly at initial launch. Inflation is not considered. Interestingly enough, possible variations in annual rate of return and the build cycle for an SPS both have energy cost impacts equal to or more important than the MPTS efficiency range, as indicated in Figures 53 and 54. Energy cost projections for nuclear and fossil plants run in the range of 25 to 45 mills per kWhr on the basis of an 80% load factor. Assuming the SPS should be competitive in this order of magnitude, a set of characteristics for the average of the many operational systems needed to assume a substantial share of the USA energy budget could be as given in Figure 55. The power source and transportation-assembly parameters are believed
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