POWER SOURCES PANEL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP74B00535R000100130001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 30, 2006
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 10, 1972
• Content Type: REPORT

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POWER SOURCES PANEL
O'INV 1972
1. The Agency's power sources program has a number of both positive
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and negative aspects. Included in the former is the fact that full use is made gE81B
of National capability, both governmental and industrial. This includes the
regular use of Project Brief Sheets which are issued ana maintained by the
Inter-Agency Advanced Power Group. The present program is responsive to
the Agency's long range objectives.
2. Some program weaknesses have been inherent and are likely to remain
so. Unique requirements dictated by operational factors
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cause the bulk of our efforts
to be devoted to the special purpose power supply field. This covers a range
from adaptation of an established technology to early exploitation of a new concept.
Such work tends to be quite costly (typically a $500K effort over a period of
several years to get a new power source ready for operational use). The problem
is compounded by the fact that there is no extensive bank of experience to draw
on for help in making decisions on which present systems should be pursued
to the exclusion of others. Also, testing of primary electrochemical cells
(non-rechargeable) is inherently destructive and sufficient quantities must be
tested to provide adequate statistical data for evaluation. Further, there is no
known reliable method for accelerated testing; thus, to establish the required
degree of reliability for Agency applications is time-consuming and expensive.
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3. The question of using nuclear power sources raises problems with
regard to both cost and policy. Radioisotopic thermoelectric generators (RTG's)
are singled out because of the advantages they offer compared to any other
power sources. Unit costs are not readily predictable but are expected to be
$1,000 to $20,000. Should Agency requirements necessitate major modifications,
they could conceivably be much higher. At present we are lacking a policy
statement as to any intent to use RTG's overseas.
4. Three technological gaps, due to policy/cost prohibition or lack of
technical concept, are discussed: requirements, system life and data base.
Requirements often arise from a user's specifications rather than from being
mutually developed with a power source expert. Another aspect of the problem
is that transfer of an initiator of a requirement which leads to an R&D effort
too often leaves a void and continuity is lost. System life will continue to
remain as a gap until capabilities such as nuclear sources, solar arrays and
fuel cells are available and operationally acceptable. A data base is lacking
because of the specialized ways in which we use power sources. It's development
would be long and costly because manufacturers and developers have little
incentive to acquire the type needed for our engineering evaluations of the use
of their products.
5. The current in-house manpower level of about three man-years is
grossly inadequate and present organizational structure does not provide for
an integrated effort.
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6. A number of recommendations are made, ranging from increased
personnel and funding to major organizational changes and policy decisions.
Six to eight people are needed for continuing operations at the present level.
Financial resources should be increased to not less than
annually
with provisions "to support more costly, specific ventures." The establishment
of a "centralized Power Source Activity" is recommended. Its location in
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Agency structure is judged to be beyond the immediate scope of the Panel's
effort but seems to lean toward TSD or ORD. A policy statement is needed
regarding use of RTG's which will bound the conditions of their approved use
or clearly state the mechanism for obtaining an early decision for specific
project use.
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Power Sources
The Agency's direct expenditure in the development of
power sources is comparatively small and generally directed
to accelerate developments or improvements which would not
likely be undertaken by industry for commercial purposes.
The achievements in this area, from an operational point
of view, have not been of great significance to date, and this
may continue to be the case. The Agency has not devoted the
resources required in order to have a significant impact in
this field. For example, simply procuring sufficient batteries
of a new type to assure reliability has strained the funding
in this area from time to time. On the other hand, there is
an increasing potential for the development of new kinds of
sources as material processing techniques improve. The
general trend is towards realization of the theoretical power
source capabilities.
Of the initiatives proposed by the Panel, continued effort
on radioisotope supplies should be maintained. The low level
of funding which might be provided for solar, hybrid, and other
systems would have little impact in these areas, and these funds
might better be devoted to obtaining a more rapid operational
capability in the radioisotope field.
As elsewhere, the effort in this area should be integrated
as the Panel suggests; the efficiency in the program cannot be
increased to its maximum by coordination, and the Panel has
presented a convincing case.
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