Policy Issues for Retail Beamed Power Transmission

Abstract

This paper discusses the interaction of technology and policy in enabling widespread rural access to clean solar electric power using retail delivery of beamed power. Recent advances in power beaming have made it possible to deliver electric power to off-grid locations using millimeter-wave beams and compact, efficient transmitters and receivers. The research question is how to bring about the public policy initiatives needed to enable widespread adoption of this clean and sustainable contribution to meeting energy needs. It is seen that this question leads to synergy between three national priorities: (a) the campaign to control global climate change, (b) the drive to improve air quality, and (c) the need for increased availability of energy for development. A benefit of the Beamed Power approach is that retail power transfer using beamed power will facilitate the realization the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the United State's vision for the modern grid.