Engineering news
The potential benefits of distributing electricity without wires will be explored in a new project between the distribution network and Oxfordshire firm Space Solar, a pioneer in the nascent space-based solar power (SBSP) field.
Aimed at “radically improving services for customers”, National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) and its partner will investigate the potential to increase network resilience and provide fast and flexible grid connections, National Grid announced today (5 February).
In SBSP systems, orbital satellites would harvest sunlight, convert it to microwaves and beam it to receivers on Earth. The Wireless Power Transmission project will explore a similar system, based entirely on the ground.
The project will assess whether wireless transmission could deliver benefits during emergencies, such as storms, and help better serve customers in remote areas.
“Going wireless could also play a role in moving energy from offshore renewables, making it easier and cheaper, as well as offering an alternative way to transmit power in National Landscapes,” the announcement said.
Overhead lines and underground cables will continue to be needed, National Grid said, but innovation funding “will help engineers explore how the distribution network can evolve” as demand for electricity is set to double by 2050.
“Innovative thinking is fundamental to supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future, and the Wireless Power Transmission project will explore how state-of-the-art technology could transform the electricity network to deliver resilience, cost and connection benefits to customers,” said Tim Polack, NGED director of strategy and transformation.
The project is funded by an Ofgem programme managed in partnership with Innovate UK.
Sam Adlen, co-CEO of Space Solar, said: “We are delighted to be able to work with National Grid to explore the opportunities for wireless power transmission. We have all seen the revolution that wireless technology enabled with communications. As energy demand accelerates, advances in wireless power transmission offer great potential to support our growing electricity infrastructure needs.”
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