[번역요약]

무선 전력 전송은 더 이상 공상 과학 소설에서만 볼 수 있는 기술이 아닙니다.
최근 몇 년 동안 무선 전력 전송은 많은 발전을 이루어 전원 코드와 충전 케이블 없이 충전이 가능한 세상이 되기까지 얼마 남지 않았을 것입니다.
스마트폰, 노트북 등 전자 장치를 물리적인 연결 없이 충전되는 미래를 위해 무선 전력 전송 기술을 개발하는 기업과 연구원이 끊임없이 노력하고 있기 때문에 생각보다 가까운 미래에 실현할 수도 있습니다.

 

현재 개발 중인 무선 전력 전송 기술 중 가장 유망한 것은 ‘공진 유도’입니다.
공진 유도는 두 개의 코일이 동일한 주파수에 맞춰 공명하는 전자기 공명 원리를 기반으로 합니다.
첫 번째 코일이 전원에 연결되면 두 번째 코일에 전류를 유도하는 진동 자기장을 생성하여 단거리에서 효과적으로 무선으로 전기를 전송합니다.
공진 유도 결합 기술은 성공적으로 입증이 완료된 실험이며, 상용화를 위해 계속해서 연구하고 있는 분야입니다.

 

무선 전력 전송 분야의 또 다른 기술은 ‘마이크로파 전력 전송‘(MPT) 입니다.
MPT는 전기를 마이크로파로 변환한 다음 장거리에 무선으로 전송 후, 수신단에서 다시 전기로 변환되어 지속적이고 안정적으로 전력을 제공합니다.
MPT 기술은 아직 실험단계에 있지만 장거리 무선 전력 전송에 있어 뛰어난 잠재력을 가지고 있습니다.

 

서로 근접하게 배치된 두 코일이 전류를 전달하는 ’유도 충전‘은 현재도 활발하게 사용 중인 무선 전력 전송 기술입니다.
유도 충전은 상대적으로 짧은 거리와 낮은 전력을 사용하지만, 스마트폰이나 스마트워치 같은 작은 전자기기를 충전하는 데 효과적으로 사용할 수 있습니다.

 

무선 전력 전송 기술이 더 발전하면 할수록 더 다양한 분야에서 응용이 가능합니다.
전기차를 이동 중에 충전하거나, 깨끗하고 재사용이 가능한 에너지를 사용해 화석 연료 의존을 낮춰 기후 변화를 방지하는 데 도움이 될 수 있습니다.

효율성, 범위 개선, 안전성, 비용 등 해결이 필요한 문제점도 분명 남아있지만, 연구를 거듭해 전원 코드와 케이블이 사라지고, 전자 장치를 항상 충전해 바로 사용할 수 있는 세상을 기대해 볼 가치가 충분한 분야입니다.

 

[칼럼원문] 작성자: Daniel Hall, 출처: All Charged Up: Wireless Electricity Transmission - EnergyPortal.eu

 

 

All Charged Up: Wireless Electricity Transmission

 

Exploring the Future of Wireless Electricity Transmission: All Charged Up

Wireless electricity transmission is no longer a far-fetched idea confined to the realms of science fiction.
In recent years, significant advancements in technology have brought us closer to realizing the dream of a world where power cords and charging cables become obsolete.
Imagine a future where your smartphone, laptop, and other electronic devices are constantly charged without the need for a physical connection to a power source.
This future may be closer than you think, as researchers and companies around the world are working tirelessly to develop and refine wireless electricity transmission technologies.

 

The concept of wireless electricity transmission dates back to the late 19th century when the renowned inventor and electrical engineer, Nikola Tesla, first proposed the idea.
Tesla envisioned a world where electricity could be transmitted through the air, eliminating the need for power lines and cables. While Tesla’s ambitious vision was not realized during his lifetime,
his pioneering work laid the foundation for the development of modern wireless electricity transmission technologies.

 

One of the most promising wireless electricity transmission technologies currently under development is known as “resonant inductive coupling.” This technology relies on the principle of electromagnetic resonance,
where two coils are tuned to resonate at the same frequency. When one coil is connected to a power source,
it generates an oscillating magnetic field that induces an electric current in the second coil, effectively transmitting electricity wirelessly over short distances.
This technology has already been successfully demonstrated in laboratory settings and is being actively researched for potential commercial applications.

 

Another exciting development in the field of wireless electricity transmission is the use of “microwave power transmission” (MPT) technology.
MPT involves converting electricity into microwaves, which can then be transmitted wirelessly over long distances.
The microwaves are then converted back into electricity at the receiving end, providing a continuous and reliable source of power.
While MPT technology is still in the experimental stage, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we generate and distribute electricity, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

 

In addition to these cutting-edge technologies, there are also several commercially available wireless charging solutions on the market today.
These products typically use inductive charging technology, which relies on the transfer of energy between two coils placed in close proximity to one another.
While this technology is currently limited to relatively short distances and low power levels,
it has proven to be an effective and convenient solution for charging small electronic devices such as smartphones and smartwatches.

 

As wireless electricity transmission technologies continue to advance, the potential applications are virtually limitless.
From charging electric vehicles on the go to powering entire cities with clean, renewable energy, the possibilities are both exciting and transformative.
Moreover, the widespread adoption of wireless electricity transmission could significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and help combat climate change by promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

 

However, there are still several challenges that must be overcome before wireless electricity transmission can become a mainstream technology.
These challenges include improving the efficiency and range of wireless power transfer, ensuring the safety of both humans and electronic devices, and developing cost-effective solutions that can be widely adopted. Additionally, regulatory and standardization issues will need to be addressed to ensure the seamless integration of wireless electricity transmission technologies into existing power grids and infrastructure.

 

In conclusion, the future of wireless electricity transmission is undoubtedly bright, with numerous technological advancements and breakthroughs on the horizon.
As researchers and companies continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, we can look forward to a world where power cords and charging cables become a thing of the past, and our electronic devices are always charged and ready to go.