Sep 10, 2020 21:00:00

Experiments to wirelessly transmit power over long distances started

New Zealand startup

Emrod has announced that it will begin testing with the goal of commercializing long-distance wireless power transfer.

Press release: NZ start-up launches world-first long range wireless power transmission --Emrod Energy
https://emrod.energy/press-release-nz-start-up-launches-world-first-long-range-wireless-power-transmission/

Emrod Chases The Dream Of Utility-Scale Wireless Power Transmission --IEEE Spectrum
https://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/the-smarter-grid/emrod-chases-the-dream-of-utilityscale-wireless-power-transmission

New Zealand Is About to Test Long-Range Wireless Power Transmission
https://singularityhub.com/2020/08/30/new-zealand-is-about-to-test-long-range-wireless-power-transmission/

Emrod announced on August 2, 2020 that it will begin testing technology for efficient wireless and long-distance energy transmission, funded by New Zealand utility Powerco .

The principle of wireless power transmission technology using microwaves is not new, but the problem is that there is a large power loss when receiving microwaves and returning them to power.

So Emrod tested the development of a prototype using a

metamaterial that efficiently converts microwaves into electricity with a grant from the New Zealand Government and New Zealand's innovation support group Callaghan Innovation . Based on that knowledge, with the support of Powerco this time, we plan to develop a second prototype and provide it to Powerco, and after conducting in-laboratory tests starting in October, we plan to conduct field tests.

Until now, the prototype developed by Emrod was only capable of wireless power transmission of 2 meters, but the demonstration system scheduled to be tested in 2021 is capable of wireless power transmission of 40 meters. Also, in the future, it seems that it is considering the realization of wireless power transmission of 30 km that separates the main island of New Zealand and Stewart Island .

The new wireless power transmission uses microwaves in the same ISM band as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. In addition, a laser net is installed in the microwave path, and when the microwave is about to hit a bird or person, the microwave stops immediately, ensuring safety.

Emrod's new wireless transmission is about 70% less efficient than cable transmission, but in areas where power infrastructure is difficult to lay, such as Africa and the Pacific Islands, power infrastructure costs are reduced by up to 65% and power outages are maximum. It is estimated to decrease by 85%.

Emrod founder Greg Kushnir said in a statement, 'Technology for energy production and storage has made great strides over the last 100 years, but Edison , Siemens , Westinghouse and others 150 years ago. Energy transmission has changed little since the first introduction of copper-based power grids in the region. Emrod's technology is intended to be used to power remote areas and areas of rugged terrain. It is also possible to power customers during the maintenance of their existing infrastructure. '