Question by Chris: How plausible would it be to relay power by LASER over Fibre-optics?
It has recently been demonstrated that focusing a near infrared LASER on a specially tuned photo-voltaic cell can relay power at approximately fifty percent efficiency. I wonder how plausible it would be to relay power in this fashion but using fibre-optic cables to carry the LASER energy over greater and non line-of-sight distances. an application of which would be power cables that don’t rust, that don’t cause electrocution and are safe in wet environments.
What do you think?
Best answer:
Answer by g g
i havent researched this, but thought about it a lot.
im sure laser beams can carry some kind of energy, or energy particles
cables carry electrons which are converted into electricity
an optic fibre cable carries light which is decoded int a a digital message
the aim would be to find a non conventional way to transport electrons e.g along a laser beam
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One Response
I read about this technique in the context of supplying energy to or from space orbit. In particular, photovoltaic electrical generation satellites beaming energy back to earth.
According to a few articles I’ve read, high voltage transmission (the grid) in the US experiences 6.5% loss as of a 2007 study. Down from 7.2% in 1995. From this we can extrapolate that the loss could be further reduced as the aging power grid it re-built.
Now, I agree that LASER transmission (and even distribution) could bring many benefits as you stated – and more. However at this time with LASER transmission efficiency at 50% and cable transmission at 93.5% and rising – it’s all about crunching the numbers. Calculating all offsetting costs and environmental impact including carbon foot print to arrive at the real cost of producing, (we’d have to produce 43.5% more electricity to use LASER at this time) transmitting and distributing via both methods.
I believe, like Tesla that we won’t need millions of miles of cable to transmit energy in the near future.
In conclusion, is it plausible? Yes, but not in 2010, maybe in the next few decades though.