Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Andrew K. Soubel
Energy Law Spring 2004
Chicago-Kent College of Law
soubel@msn.com
Outline
Background
Solar Power Satellite
Microwave Power Transmission
Current Designs
Legal Issues
Conclusion
Background
1899-1990
Nikola Tesla
1856-1943
Innovations:
– Alternating current
– Wireless power
transmission
experiments at
Wardenclyffe
Wardenclyffe
1899
– Able to light lamps
over 25 miles away
without using wires
– High frequency
current, of a Tesla
coil, could light lamps
filled with gas (like
neon)
1940’s to Present
International Space
Station
President’s plan for a
return to the moon
Either could be used as
a base for construction
activities
Microwave Power Transmission
Microwave Laser
– More developed – Recently developed solid
– High efficiency up to 85% state lasers allow efficient
– Beams is far below the transfer of power
lethal levels of – Range of 10% to 20%
concentration even for a efficiency within a few
prolonged exposure years
– Cause interference with – Conform to limits on eye
satellite communication and skin damage
industry
Rectenna
Size
– Miles across
Location
– Aesthetic
– Near population center
Health and environmental side effects
– Although claim that microwaves or lasers
would be safe, how do you convince people
Current Developments
SPS 2000
Details
Project in Development
in Japan
Goal is to build a low
cost demonstration
model by 2025
8 Countries along the
equator have agreed to
be the site of a rectenna
Continued