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Microwave Power Transmission (MPT) for Tropopausal AWES

What is the actual potential regarding MPT to the ground from AWES platforms operating at the tropopause?

High transmission efficiencies have been predicted and shown over decades of research. Rectenna efficiency is about 95% and the atmosphere has microwave frequency band-gaps where almost 100% transparency is possible.

Optimal beam widths are on the order of 1km, and its not hard to envision parabolic or phased array multi-kite or megakite designs at this scale. A tethered parabolic surface could rotate around the wind compass while always aimed back at a central anchor point in the midst of a phased ground array receiver.

Much of the foundational engineering science has been done in the guise of Solar Satellite studies. Kites eliminate many barriers inherent to space deployment, with the major difference that flygen wind power would be harvested, not solar. Many optimization paths are evident. Its easy to see that "waste heat" at the microwave transmitter can be scavenged and regenerated by various means for high overall transmission efficiency.

Chris Carlin, our most experienced aerospace expert in large-scale wind power development, is correct to identify MPT as a respectable AWES study. Doug is wrong only to mock the whole idea, without doing the homework. MPT will be a key idea as AWES theory develops from its infant stage.

Once again, this is not a premature AWES concept down-select, but a proper topic for broad comparative study and testing.
 

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Comment and development of this topic will be occurring here also:       
All, send notes, links, drawings, papers, videos, plans, safety-critical findings, and photographs!

  • Terms and aspects:  
  • Related links and concepts:  
    • "The communications channel may include any suitable means of communication, for example, a wire, optical fiber, or a wireless communications channel based on radio, microwave, infrared, or light communications."  Tellum, 2010, Kite Based Platform, patent applicaiton.
    • AirborneWindEnergy/conversations/messages/11962
    • http://www.energykitesystems.net/JongChulKim/index.html
    • JoeBen  Bevirt in 2009:  "In another approach, energy generated can be transmitted to the ground station using an alternative carrier system (e.g., microwave generation and receiving stations)." Pat.App.
    • Circa 1979: Biscomb: "9. The multiple wind turbine tethered airfoil wind energy conversion system of claim 8, wherein: said transmitting means is constituted by at least one microwave transmitter supported by said airfoil and at least one microwave receiver located on the ground."
  • Commentary is welcome:
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