Power Plant Types: Learn About Microwave Power Plants

AI Thread Summary
Microwave power plants do not generate electricity directly; instead, they transmit energy from generators to the user grid. The process involves using microwaves to push electrons through wires, facilitating energy transfer. While this method is not typically useful for conventional power applications, it has significant potential for satellite solar generators. The energy required to create microwaves exceeds the energy generated, making direct generation impractical. Understanding the role of microwaves in energy transmission highlights their importance in advanced energy solutions.
dragoneye776
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I heard of several kinds of power plants, and then I came upon microwave power plants. I know what microwaves are, but how do they generate power? Would someone explain to me how or give me a link to somewhere?
 
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Welcome to PF, Dragoneye. As Daniel's link shows, microwaves are not used to generate electricity. That would be worse than stupid, since you need more energy to create them than you could generate with them. Instead, they can be used to transmit that energy from the generator to the user grid. In normal applications, that isn't tremendously useful, but it holds enormous significance for satellite solar generators.
 
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