If you think the idea of powering the whole world with solar power is still many years away, prepare to be amazed. The inspired minds at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has succeeded in transmitting solar energy right through the air. Using wireless power transmission may be the best way to gather solar energy from space in order to use it here on Earth.
Using microwave technology, Mitsubishi said it sent ten kilowatts of power wirelessly through the air to a receiver positioned 1,640 feet away. That is enough to power your kitchen stove for an hour or more.
On Friday, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said that it also moved power wirelessly, sending 1.8 kilowatts of power through the air. Japan is looking for ways to expand its ability to power themselves, especially since the Fukishima Daiichi nuclear reactor meltdown in 2011. Japan does not have the vast resources and is not able to fill land with solar-collectors, the way larger nations like the United States or Saudi Arabia can, for example.
Related: Japan plans to harvest solar power from space by 2030
Instead, Japan has concentrated its efforts on space. “We believe we demonstrated the possibility of commercializing wireless power transmission through our experiment,” Mitsubishi said in a statement on Friday.
One of the great advantages of space-based solar power is the simple fact that solar energy is available all day and night no matter what the weather in space. Commercializing the new technology, though, could take many years—possibly even until the 2040s. Although as the technology becomes more promising, that could change.
Via Phys.org
Images via JAXA and NASA