Technical Advances and Market Progress Towards Intelligent Power-Beaming Microgrids

The rapid electrification of modern systems, ranging from distributed sensing and intelligent mobile robotics to electric vehicles and renewable grid integration, has reinvigorated research in software-defined, wireless power beaming networks. Furthermore, advances in high-power semiconductors, low-cost adaptive electromagnetics, and intelligent algorithmic control mechanisms have fueled new innovations and fostered new markets for beamed energy delivery. This talk will provide a high-level overview of Reach’s hardware and control system architecture for beamed power networks, including discussions around network modeling and safety, managing distributed coherent sources, and creating effective power beaming apertures and relays. Latest results and a subsection of current technical hurdles will be presented. The talk will conclude with an overview of how incremental product releases can help catalyze market growth while supporting the ultimate emergence of intelligent wireless microgrids.