In wireless power transmission, the new record is 8.6 kilometers
By ForGeeks
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has successfully transmitted 800 watts of energy over a distance of 8.6 kilometers using an infrared laser. This is a world record for long-range wireless power transmission.
A New Frontier in Wireless Power
On June 15, 2025, as part of the Persistent Optical Wireless Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program, DARPA experts conducted a demonstration of power transmission over a distance nearly five times greater than previous achievements. By comparison, they had previously managed to transmit 230 watts over 1.7 kilometers and conducted a classified test over 3.7 kilometers.
The demonstration was conducted at a distance of nearly five times greater than previous achievements.
The transmitter directed a laser beam to a ground-based receiver built by Teravec Technologies in just three months. The device used a parabolic mirror to focus the beam onto special photovoltaic cells, which delivered an efficiency of 20 percent – high considering atmospheric interference. More than one megajoule of energy was transferred in a 30-second test – enough to power a microwave oven, mini-fridge or even make popcorn, as a symbolic reference to the movie “True Genius.”
The device was used to power a microwave oven, mini-fridge or even make popcorn.
It’s not the power that matters, it’s the distance
The distinctive feature of the experiment was not only the power and distance parameters, but also the high precision of guidance. The system used adaptive optics and beam stabilization to compensate for atmospheric disturbances and maintain focus.
In contrast to other projects, such as PowerLight’s 400-watt, 1-km transmission or Emrod’s shorter-range microwave system, DARPA focused on increasing transmission distance.
The current phase of the POWER program was conducted at the White Sands Missile Range and was aimed at validating the technical feasibility of the concept. However, in the next phase, DARPA plans to move to more ambitious targets.
DARPA Plans
By 2027, DARPA expects to transmit up to 10 kilowatts over a distance of 200 kilometers. Airborne repeaters are envisioned, which will enable wireless power to various facilities. This breakthrough lays the groundwork for a future in which energy can be transmitted to where it is needed without the use of wires and traditional infrastructure.
The story In Wireless Power Transmission, a New Record of 8.6 Kilometers was first published on ITZine.ru.
