A Milestone in Wireless Power Transmission
One of the great goals of science is to develop a viable method for wirelessly transmitting electrical energy. Successfully solving that problem would pave the way for far more advanced energy sources, such as orbital solar farms. Recently, a group of scientists from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency managed to transmit nearly two kilowatts across a distance of 55 meters using microwaves.
Eliminating our dependence on cables would completely change the rules in the world of energy generation. Every time we talk about wireless transmission of electricity, we enter the territory of Nikola Tesla, but this time we arrive on the Japanese coast. A group of scientists from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced that they have succeeded in transmitting a total of 1.8 kilowatts across a space of 55 meters. Obviously, it is not the first experiment of that kind, but sending nearly two kilowatts of electricity (enough to operate an electric kettle) sets a new record.
Among mobile devices, we can already find some wireless charging alternatives, but they all require the smartphone or tablet to be in contact with a compatible base. In other words, there are no cables, but there is also no distance. Wireless transmission of electrical energy is very important because when obtaining solar energy, our own atmosphere and the prevailing weather conditions can play a bad trick. The Japanese scientists used microwave technology to perform the transmission with high precision. In theory, a solar farm (or why not a set of satellites) could collect energy in orbit and transmit it via microwaves to a compatible station on the surface with minimal losses.
The value of this technology is immense, not only globally, but also for Japan, which continues to move away from nuclear systems and other conventional fuels. Even so, the space agency spokesperson was quick to lower expectations. According to current calculations, we will have to wait at least until the year 2040 to see a practical application.
