Innovative Wireless Power Transmission: A Leap Towards Clean Energy
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Chapter 1: The Vision of Wireless Energy
The concept of a wireless energy grid is gaining momentum, with a New Zealand startup, Emrod, at the forefront. This company has made significant strides in developing technology that could transform the clean energy landscape. Their prototype for wireless power transmission is now poised for large-scale deployment, collaborating with Powerco, the country’s second-largest electricity provider.
This ambitious project harks back to the early 20th century when Nikola Tesla envisioned a global wireless energy network. Unfortunately, his groundbreaking ideas were met with skepticism by financiers like J.P. Morgan, who deemed them unviable due to the challenges of metering energy consumption. Despite the initial rejection of Tesla's vision, Emrod's current innovations show promise in realizing a version of this concept, albeit with a commercial twist that appeals to today's market.
"We have a head start; we began this three years ahead of everyone else."
~ Greg Kushnir, Founder of Emrod
The core of Emrod's innovation lies in its ability to transmit renewable energy from satellites to various locations on Earth. Recently, they showcased their power-beaming technology to Airbus and the European Space Agency (ESA), aligning with ESA’s initiative to establish a continuous supply of space-based solar power.
Section 1.1: Challenges and Solutions in Power Transmission
The logistics of transmitting several gigawatts of energy from a geostationary orbit approximately 36,000 kilometers (22,370 miles) away present a formidable challenge. To achieve this, large transmitters and receivers would need to be constructed, each around 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in diameter. However, Emrod posits that their technology can facilitate this process more effectively by utilizing smaller, near-field energy beams.
Emrod's system utilizes antennas measuring 1.92 meters (6.3 feet) in diameter to successfully transmit energy over short distances. They've already demonstrated this capability by sending energy across a 36-meter (118-foot) span in an Airbus facility and a 200-meter (656-foot) distance outdoors in collaboration with Powerco. These successful tests have instilled confidence in their approach, setting the stage for future commercial applications.
Subsection 1.1.1: Prototype Development
Section 1.2: Future Prospects and Efficiency Goals
Emrod aims to enhance the efficiency of their technology to between 60% and 70% in the next five years, with a goal of reaching 80% to 85% efficiency by 2040. The first step in this journey involves creating satellite structures that can redirect and refocus energy beams for transmission, either back to Earth or to other satellites.
The company is evaluating two primary proposals: one involves a 108-meter (357-foot) antenna positioned in orbit, while the other considers deploying lower orbit satellites measuring 30 to 40 meters (100 to 130 feet). Each option presents its own challenges, including a limited transmission range and increased atmospheric resistance.
Chapter 2: Commercialization and Ambitious Innovations
In pursuit of commercial deployment by 2024, Emrod is also exploring the concept of a "power skin." This innovative research aims to transform an aircraft's fuselage into a wide-angle antenna, capable of receiving power from space-based or terrestrial transmitters during flight. This advancement could potentially address energy storage challenges that hinder the decarbonization of aviation.
The prospect of establishing a wireless power grid connecting any two points on Earth, using minimal infrastructure while delivering affordable renewable energy, represents a significant step forward in the global transition toward sustainable energy solutions.