Let me start by mentioning that the earliest research on this technology was conducted by Americans, but now China has taken the lead globally, even surpassing Japan and European countries that started earlier. You might be curious about what this technology is that can free electric vehicles, which rely on electricity, from batteries. Don't worry, I will reveal it to you shortly, but before that, I need to discuss the matter of space-based power stations.
What is a "space-based power station"?
In essence, it is a massive solar power station composed of solar panels constructed in space. Since there is no distinction between day and night in space, and no cloudy or rainy weather, power can be generated normally 24 hours a day, which is why various countries are optimistic about it and have initiated the development of this project.
You might wonder, after establishing a power station in space, how is the electricity transmitted back?
According to the technology currently available to humanity, there are two methods: one is laser transmission, and the other is microwave transmission.
Laser transmission sends back thermal energy, which is then converted into electrical energy upon reaching the ground. This transmission method is relatively more troublesome and complex. Therefore, various countries have opted for microwave transmission. The so-called microwave transmission involves converting electrical energy into microwaves, and then converting them back into electrical energy for use once they are received on the ground.What is microwave?
Microwave is the kind of wave used in microwave ovens. It can be converted into electrical energy, and vice versa, with only a converter needed in between.
Of course, microwaves can also be directly converted into thermal energy, as is the case with induction cookers.
So how is this related to electric vehicles not needing batteries?
It should be clear to everyone by now. That's right, it's about directly using microwave technology to convert electrical energy into microwaves and transmit them to electric vehicles. Then, through the converter on the electric vehicle, the microwaves are converted back into electrical energy to directly power the car.
What is the prospect of this technology?
Undoubtedly, the prospect of this technology is very broad. Just imagine, if a car can keep running as long as it is exposed to the sun, isn't that perfect?
Some may say, what if there are clouds or no sun at night?Don't worry, microwaves are not solar rays. Since the space-based power station generates electricity 24 hours a day, it can continuously emit microwaves to the ground without interruption for 24 hours.
In theory, as long as we develop the microwave targeting technology, electric vehicles can receive energy at any time, in any weather, and at any location.
More importantly, the elimination of the need for batteries will greatly reduce costs, making the price very attractive to the public.
At the very least, this technology can solve the charging problem for electric vehicles. With billions of people on Earth, if everyone uses electric vehicles, countless microwave transmission ends would need to be installed on the space solar power station, making the power generation structure very large and the construction costs extremely high.
To reduce the cost of building a space-based solar power station, electric vehicle batteries might be an optimized choice. In this case, the space solar power station acts as a charger, and any vehicle that is running low on power can request microwave charging services.
If microwave technology can achieve the capability to lock onto moving targets, it means you can drive and charge at the same time.The technology for converting electrical energy into microwaves and vice versa is readily available.
In fact, even without constructing a space-based solar power station, we can utilize microwave technology to charge electric vehicles. All we need to do is build microwave transmission towers along the roadside, and this can be achieved.
Of course, doing so would require the construction of a microwave transmission tower at regular intervals, charging moving vehicles on the road through a relay charging method.