Electricity has transformed human life in many ways. Today, electricity powers industrial processes while providing home with energy for such purposes as entertainment and performing house chores. For years, wires have been the medium through which electricity is transmitted from generation plants to homes and industries. The main advantage of wired transmission of electricity is that it facilitates transmission over long distances. However, transmitting electricity through wires is not perfect as it possesses a number of serious flaws. For example, establishing the infrastructure for wired transmission is a costly undertaking. Moreover, accidents are common especially when proper care is not taken to ensure that the transmitting wires are properly insulated. The drawbacks of wired transmission have prompted mankind to identify better, more convenient, cost-effective and safer ways to transmit electricity. Wireless transmission is emerging as a promising alternative to the transmission modes that are currently in use. As mankind enters the future, wireless transmission will undoubtedly become the primary means for moving electricity from the points of generation to households and industries.
The Future of Wireless Transmission
Transmitting electricity wirelessly may strike many as wishful thinking. However, an examination of current developments reveals that some progress is being made in making wireless transmission a reality. For example, today, it is possible for individuals to charge some of their devices wirelessly (Dumaine, 2013). Smartphones are among these devices. Such companies as Samsung have developed smartphones which do not need to be plugged into outlets using wires to charge. Other technology companies are also investing in wireless transmission of electricity. It is important to note that wireless transmission is only possible over short distances. Furthermore, the current applications of wireless transmission still require users to use such material media as charging pads. It is encouraging that some firms are developing technologies which will eliminate the need for pads and other material media. For example, WiTriCity, a technology firm based in Watertown is working on technologies that will facilitate the true and unmediated transmission of power (Dumaine, 2013). In addition to ridding individuals of the need to use physical media, this technology also promises to facilitate the transmission of power over much longer distances. Given the interest and the huge investment from dozens of companies, it is only a question of time before the transmission of electricity becomes truly and fully wireless.
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Energy Sources Powering Wireless Transmission
It is very difficult to transmit electricity without a material medium (Pawar & Rahane, 2013). This difficulty has inspired visionary individuals to develop novel solutions. Some of these solutions involve the development of creative energy sources which will power wireless transmission. Magnetic resonance coupling is the main mechanism that facilitates wireless power transmission. Essentially, this mechanism sets the stage for the creation of a magnetic field. This field is created when electricity passes through a wire. It should be noted that the magnetic resonance coupling does not allow for power transmission that is completely wireless since wires are still used, but to a limited extent. After the magnetic field is created, the focus now shifts to causing oscillations of the electrons of a coil that is placed nearby. One of the major drawbacks of magnetic resonance coupling is that currently, it only allows transmission over very short distances. However, as further research is conducted, it can be hoped that transmission over longer distances will be achieved. Some of those involved in the development of wireless power transmission are optimistic. For example , Shanhui Fan, a scientist at Stanford University is confident that soon, it will be possible to charge electric cars wirelessly as the range of wireless transmission is extended (Golden & Schwartz, 2017). The assuring words of this scientist should silence critics who feel that wireless power transmission is a pipe dream.
It is worth noting that the magnetic resonance coupling described above is not the only force that can power wireless transmission. Tucker, Warwick and Holderbaum (2013) collaborated to develop another novel approach. This approach is based on a system of transmitters and receivers. Through this approach, they were able to modify a Tesla resonator. Their approach is impressive as it addresses some of the shortcomings of other methods of transmitting electricity wirelessly. For example, in their article, Warwick and Holderbaum note that “experimental results are given showing delivery of power of an unmodified Tesla resonator contrasted with a modified version achieving improved efficiency over a 4 m range” (Tucker, Warwick & Holderbaum, 2013, p. 232). That the researchers only managed to transmit power over 4 meters is rather disappointing. However, one should remember that the wireless transmission of wireless electricity is still in the initial stages of development. It will be many years before significant milestones are achieved. Microwave power transmission is yet another method that is being developed. This method involves first converting electricity into microwaves. The microwaves are then transmitted wirelessly to a receiver which then converts them back to electricity (Mohammed, Ramasamy & Shanmuganantham, 2010). That there are multiple approaches to transmitting electricity wirelessly points to mankind’s commitment to addressing the shortcomings of wired transmission.
Changes to Current System and Superiority of Wireless Transmission
Currently, wires are the main medium through which electricity is transmitted. As noted earlier, wires allow for transmission over great distances. However, one of the problems with wired transmission concerns efficiency. Huge amounts of energy are lost and wasted during the transmission of power using wires. Wireless transmission promises to fixes this. Results from studies on the efficiency of wireless electricity transmission indicate that this transmission method wastes lower amounts of energy (Maqsood & Nasir, 2013). That it is more efficient is one of the factors that make wireless transmission superior to the current approaches.
The wired transmission that mankind relies on today possesses a number of drawbacks that wireless transmission seeks to address. Safety is among these drawbacks (Rayes, Nagib & Abdelaal, 2016). Every year, many individuals die due to electric shocks. While other factors are responsible for these accidents, the fact that power is transmitted through wires plays a significant role. As it eliminates the need for wires, wireless transmission promises to promote safety and insulate users against such injuries as those that result from electric shocks. Limited mobility is another feature that defines the current wired transmission of electricity (Rayes, Nagib & Abdelaal, 2016). To use electricity, individuals usually need to plug into an outlet. For example, charging a phone requires one to plug into a fixed outlet. This is yet another issue that wireless technology will solve. Wireless technology does not necessarily require the establishment of fixed points of use. Therefore, it will be much easier to charge devices and use electricity in many other ways. There is no doubt that once it is fully rolled out, wireless transmission will revolutionize the applications of electricity.
Erecting the pylons that support the wires which carry electricity is very costly. Acquiring the wires is another costly endeavor. These are other challenges that wired transmission poses. Since it does not require wires, wireless transmission is cost-effective (Rayes, Nagib & Abdelaal, 2016). Furthermore, as opposed to wires whose function can be impaired by such elements as acids, water and dirt, wireless transmission does not suffer such impairment. Another problem with wired transmission is that regular maintenance is costly (Rayes, Nagib & Abdelaal, 2016). Governments and electricity distributors spend huge amounts every year to ensure that the wires transmit power effectively. When wireless transmission becomes mainstream, the governments and distributors will be spared of the need to conduct maintenance. Overall, wireless transmission promises to address the drawbacks of wired transmission while presenting additional benefits.
The discussion above has focused on the many benefits of wireless transmission of electricity. While it remains true that wireless transmission is mostly beneficial, it is worth noting that there are several disadvantages that could discourage the adoption of wireless transmission. Safety concerns are among these disadvantages. In his analysis of the future of wireless transmission, Raj Jain (2014) cautions that such methods of wireless transmission as microwave power transmission could expose users to safety risks. While the safety risks cannot be dismissed, it should be remembered that wireless transmission is a young development. As this technology is developed further, it will undergo refinements and the safety concerns will be addressed.
In conclusion, mankind has a history of addressing the challenges that it faces. Today, enhancing the efficiency of electricity transmission is among the challenges that are begging for urgent solutions. Wireless transmission is mankind’s response to this challenge. Today, a number of approaches for transmitting electricity wirelessly have been developed. While these approaches are still rather primitive, encouraging progress is being made. Once the approaches have been adopted widely, a revolution in the transmission of electricity will occur. The cost of transmitting electricity will register a significant decline. Other changes that can be expected include improved efficiency and fewer incidences of accidents. It is important to note that wireless transmission is not perfect since it possesses such flaws as safety concerns. These drawbacks are not grave enough to dissuade mankind from developing wireless transmission.
References
Dumaine, B. (2013). Electric Power without Lines. Retrieved April 27, 2018 from http://fortune.com/2013/11/01/electric-power-without-lines/
Golden, M., & Schwartz, M. (2017). Wireless Charging of Moving Electric Vehicles Overcomes Major Hurdle in New Stanford Research. Retrieved April 27, 2018 from https://news.stanford.edu/press-releases/2017/06/14/big-advance-wireless-charging-moving-electric-cars/
Jain, R. (2014). Cut the Cord: Wireless Power Transfer, its Applications and its Limits. Retrieved April 27, 2018 from
https://www.cse.wustl.edu/~jain/cse574-14/ftp/power.pdf
Maqsood, M., & Nasir, N. (2013). Wireless Electricity (Power) Transmission Using Solar Based Power Satellite Technology. Journal of Physics. DOI:
10.1088/1742-6596/439/1/012046
Mohammed, S. S., Ramasamy, K., & Shanmuganantham, T. (2010). Wireless Power Transmission- A Next Generation Power Transmission System. International Journal of Computer Applications, 1 (13), 100-103.
Pawar, A., & Rahane, S. (2013). Opportunities and Challenges of Wireless Communication Technologies for Smart Grid Application. International Journal of Computer Networking, 3 (1), 289-96.
Rayes, M. M., Nagib, G., & Abdelaal, A. (2016). A Review of Wireless Power Transfer. International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), 40 (5),
272-280.
Tucker, C. A., Warwick, K., & Holderbaum, W. (2013). A Contribution to the Wireless Transmission of Power. International Journal of Power & Energy Systems, 47, 235-242.
