Projects

Short description of the topic

New research is bringing energy transfer into the wireless world.  Known as wireless energy transfer ('wireless energy'), this revolutionary technology involves the transmission of electrical energy from a power source to an electrical load without a conductive physical connection. Soon, central hubs could be charging batteries, laptops, televisions, electric cars.  The new technology also has the potential to dramatically increase the driving range of electric vehicles and eventually transform highway travel. But perhaps more importantly, it has the potential to accelerate the research, development, demonstration and deployment of personal rapid transit (PRT) systems in urban areas - e.g., 'podcars'.  Furthermore, wireless energy can also enable and acclerate the merging of the physical and digital world's - i.e., the 'metaverse' - which will alter spaces as we know them and present new methods of commercial interaction and services.
 
Goal and strategic compliance

The project's goals are to fully describe the current ecosystem in the USA for wireless energy research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D), noting both the key players as well as the most promissing/advanced application segments - e.g., energy services, transportation, personal mobility, commerce, security, etc.

This 'game changing' technology presents perhaps as significant if not more of an opportunity as the wireless telecommunications revolution of the 1980s & 1990s.  And its development fits with Finland's reputation as a leading environment for innovation, where multi-stakeholder problem solving communities work jointly to develop, test and expand the opportunities presented by new technologies.

Content

Project manager(Michael Lovejoy, Finpro), project manager (Tekes to-be-determined) & Maija Arellano(Finpro): 

Main tasks:

•Fully define the technology supporting wireless energy transfer;
•Map the current wireless energy RDD&D activities in the USA, noting key players and programs;
•Develop an RDD&D timeline for the most promissing applications, marking their anticipated position in the technology development cycle during the next 5-to10 years;
•Obtain forecasts for technology applications by industry and public service area;
•Identify potential collaboration partners as well as possible market needs that are suited to Finland's innovation ecosystem.

Schedule: Project will be fully completed during calendar year 2012.

Deliverables: Organize workshop with senior project advisors from Tekes, CLEEN SHOK and VTT; Conduct Futures Session in the late-fall 2012; Prepare written report of findings and recommended future actions.

Michael Lovejoy
Finpro Houston
+17136279700
michael.lovejoy@finpro.fi