The world is entering the era of wireless electricity !

 

Since the first electricity generation at the Pearl Power Station in New York in 1882, the only method of electricity supply has been through wired connections. However, in the current era, this method is not always effective. In many remote areas or in space, it is impossible to use wires for electricity supply. Additionally, due to climate change, the demand for electricity and its supply accessibility have become even more important. Therefore, scientists have been working for a long time on a new method of electricity supply without wires. This technology is called ‘Power Beaming.’ For over a century, scientists have been trying to transmit electricity through microwaves, radio waves, and lasers. The idea was first proposed by scientist Nikola Tesla, who suggested using the Earth's ionosphere to create a method of wireless electricity transmission. Although his research did not come to fruition, the pursuit of wireless electricity continued. After World War II, this technology began to develop further. In 1964, American engineer William C. Brown was able to power a small helicopter for 10 hours by transmitting electricity via microwaves. Later, in 1975, NASA scientist Richard Dickson successfully transmitted 30 kilowatts of electricity over a distance of one mile, though its efficiency was still not sufficient at the time.

However, due to advancements in technology, it is now on the path to becoming a reality. The progress in computers, photovoltaic technology, lasers, and transistors has made power beaming more effective. This technology is particularly gaining importance in reducing the use of fossil fuels. Currently, a New Zealand-based company, EMROD, is implementing a system that transmits electricity via microwaves directly from the power grid. Meanwhile, U.S.-based Reach Power is working on a method to supply electricity over a 25-kilometer range using radio waves. This technology is becoming increasingly important in the military sector and for commercial use. The United States, Europe, and Japan are investing heavily in this technology. Specifically, Japan’s space agency, JAXA, plans to implement wireless electricity supply from space by 2030. At present, this technology is being used for low-power applications, such as smart sensors, motion detectors, and smart displays in supermarkets. Gradually, it will be used on a larger scale. Scientists predict that this will soon become a reality, and in the future, wireless electricity will become an integral part of our daily lives.