Japan successfully tested microwave wireless power transmission: developing space solar power generation

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully conducted a microwave wireless power transmission experiment on the 8th of this month, with a transmission distance of 55 meters. Microwave wireless power transmission is an indispensable technology for "space solar power generation", and this achievement has taken space solar power generation research one step further.

The research team conducted an outdoor wireless power transmission experiment in Hyogo Prefecture that day. Since powerful microwaves may have adverse effects on the human body and the environment, the accuracy of microwave transmission is extremely high. After precise adjustments, the researchers finally completed the microwave wireless power transmission from the power transmission device to the antenna 55 meters away, and the receiving device converted this "radio" into direct current.

The research team believes that being able to control microwaves is an important technology required to achieve safe and lossless power transmission, and being able to confirm it through experiments is an important development.

According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, if huge solar panels with a diameter of two to three kilometers are used to generate electricity in space, the power generation level will reach that of a commonly used nuclear power unit with an installed capacity of one million kilowatts.

Space solar power generation refers to solar panels generating electricity in space and then transmitting the generated electricity back to the ground in the form of microwaves. Its advantage is that it is not affected by day and night and weather conditions. However, to achieve this goal, there are still many technical breakthroughs and cost control issues.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.