On microwave power transmission and the feasibility of power satellites for Europe

Considerations of giant power plants in remote areas (because of the environmental contamination) or in space suggest or even force a noncable bound transmission of power, e.g., by a collimated microwave beam. However, the propagation of microwaves is affected by tropospheric and ionospheric effects (attenuation, diffraction, reflection, decollimation, depolarization) which degrade the power transmission efficiency. Power satellite concepts are discussed and the principles of the proposed microwave power transmission system are explained. The main interfering atmospheric effects are explained and an appraisal of their influence on the transmission path and the overall power transmission system is given. Some of those effects show a latitudinal dependence, and conclusions on the feasibility of power satellite systems for Europe are derived.