You put mirrors in space.
But seriously, solar power generation by huge space stations that beam the power down to earth, then use mirrors to feed it where it is needed.
But seriously, solar power generation by huge space stations that beam the power down to earth, then use mirrors to feed it where it is needed.
The best idea might be something like in the movie Moon where the power is stored chemically, then shipped back to earth.
I think the most common technology in use today at powerplant-scale is the "Pumped-storage hydroelectricity plant". You basically pump water uphill when you have energy - and let it flow downhill again, through your energy-producing turbines, when you need it back.
Either way, there is tons of research in this area (e.g. SmartGrid). It seems like a problem that we will solve eventually.
Comparatively high cost is the main factor why it is still be considered less efficient although that is slowly changing.
You'd lose too much power in the beaming process
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_energy_transfer#Microw...
"Rectenna conversion efficiencies exceeding 95% have been realized."
Here's another experiment that achieved 84% efficiency. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power#Microwa...
you'd have a death ray beam that destroys anything that flies between it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_transmission#Common_s...
A bird flying above a rectenna on actually proposed designs would feel warmer and keep flying.
but then you'd need a collector dish the size of montana.
There are no collector >dishes< involved, as far as I know, rectennas don't need a parabolic reflector. Parabolic dishes add directionality, but increasing the effective aperture is a better design for power receiving. Proposed collector area is typically on the order of one or a few squares mile, which compares favorably to the footprint of existing power generation schemes.
The best idea might be something like in the movie Moon where the power is stored chemically, then shipped back to earth.
The power wasn't stored >chemically< in the movie.