Imagine charging a device miles away without a single wire. That’s exactly what the US military’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has just pulled off, setting a new benchmark in wireless power transmission that could have big implications for future energy delivery.
On June 15, 2025, DARPA’s Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program made headlines by transmitting 800 watts of power over 8.6 kilometers using an infrared laser — a world record. The feat surpassed previous benchmarks like 230 watts over 1.7 kilometers and a classified demonstration over 3.7 kilometers.
The laser beam targeted a ground-based receiver built by Teravec Technologies in just three months. Using a parabolic mirror to focus the beam onto specialized photovoltaic cells, the setup managed a 20% energy conversion rate — impressive given the atmospheric interference, reports IEEE Spectrum. To put it into perspective, over one megajoule of energy was delivered during the 30-second test — enough to run a microwave or a small fridge, with some used to pop popcorn in a nod to Real Genius.
What set this demo apart wasn’t just the distance. The system used adaptive optics and precise beam steering to correct for air turbulence and maintain focus. Unlike PowerLight’s 400-watt laser transmission over 1 kilometer (which ran for 12 hours) or Emrod’s high-efficiency microwave system covering shorter ranges, DARPA prioritized pushing the limits of distance this time around.
Phase 1 of the POWER program, carried out at White Sands Missile Range, was all about proving it could be done — not maximizing efficiency. But the next phase aims to raise the stakes significantly. By 2027, DARPA reportedly plans to transmit 10 kilowatts over 200 kilometers, potentially using airborne relays to beam power to drones, remote outposts, or even data centers.
With this latest breakthrough, DARPA isn’t just chasing records — it’s laying the groundwork for a future where power can be sent anywhere it’s needed.
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