Wireless power beaming is the transmission of electrical energy without a physical link. In a wireless power transmission system, a transmitter device, driven by electric power from a power source, transmits power across space to a receiver device, which extracts power from the field and supplies it to an electrical load. The technology of wireless power transmission can eliminate the use of the wires and batteries, thus increasing the mobility, convenience, and safety of an electronic device for users. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has a strong heritage of turning visionary ideas into reality: nuclear submarines, space surveillance, and GPS are just a few examples that have roots at NRL. Today, a confluence of advances at NRL and elsewhere presents an opportunity for two potentially revolutionary energy technologies: Power Beaming & Space Solar. As recognized in NRL’s reports on these topics, delivering energy without moving or employing mass and the prospect of collecting clean, continuous, abundant sunlight in space and distributing it globally present compelling capabilities for remote installation energy resupply, disaster response, and power for the developing world. Dr. Jaffe has been conducting space-based solar energy research for more than a decade, focusing in part on transmitting solar energy from space to Earth; in this presentation, Dr. Jaffe will present the visions for power beaming and space solar, and delve into their technical, regulatory, and economic challenges and opportunities.
Presenter:Dr. Paul JaffeDr. Paul Jaffe is an electronics engineer and researcher with over 25 years of experience at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. He has led or held major roles on dozens of space missions and on breakthrough technology development projects for civilian, defense, and intelligence community sponsors, including SSULI, STEREO, TacSat-1, TacSat-4, ORS, MIS, PRAM, CARINA, RSGS, PTROL, S2FOBs, and LEctenna. He was responsible for electrical system and spacecraft computer hardware development. He served as coordinator and editor of two solar power satellite study reports and was the principal investigator for a ground-breaking space solar research effort. His current roles include program management and systems engineering of a portfolio of projects. He serves as a lecturer for the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Maryland. He has over 50 journal, conference, and patent publications and is the recipient of numerous awards. Dr. Jaffe has made many international speaking and media appearances, including as a TEDx speaker, MSNBC speaker, and the Science Channel’s “Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman.” He is also active in educational and STEM outreach.