An Architecture Using Lighter-Than-Air Platforms for Retail Power Beaming and Communications

Past work has shown the relevance of retail electric power delivery in developing areas where the terrestrial wired grid lags the demand for communications, connectivity and other services. Antenna size requirements logically imply that frequencies above 100 GHz must be used for viable power transmission. Retail power beaming using millimeter waves offers a rapid way to bring electric power to rural areas. Synergy between infrastructure development for communications and for power allows local, regional and global power exchange. A radical solution is explored using tethered lighter-than-air (LTA) aerostats as antenna-waveguide systems to transit the moist lower troposphere and achieve highly efficient horizontal beam transmission. The paper explores the synergistic application of LTA systems to the delivery of power and provision of low-cost communications systems in remote areas. Significant experience has already been accumulated in using LTA systems in India for various purposes. Sizing calculations show feasible solution spaces. Building on a survey of technological developments, the paper starts the requirements definition for millimeter wave power antenna design. Ground antennae may be integrated with solar photovoltaic panels for multiple uses. The option of exchanging power with local micro generators rather than storing locally, favors the use of technology-intensive mass-produced solid state devices that integrate conversion, transmission, reception and phase variation for beam pointing.