DARPA has unveiled a new approach to wireless power transmission that could change the way we think about how we get electricity. Now, energy can be transmitted over kilometers—without wires and without intermediate infrastructure. This discovery could lay the foundation for future energy systems capable of powering equipment even in the most remote corners of the planet.

During a recent demonstration in New Mexico, DARPA managed to transmit 800 watts over a distance of 8.6 kilometers using an infrared laser aimed at a receiver. The laser beam was focused by a parabolic mirror onto photovoltaic cells, which converted light into electricity with an efficiency of about 20% — an excellent result considering weather and atmospheric interference. The system automatically adjusted to compensate for air distortions and was even able to pop popcorn to demonstrate the power of the transmitted energy.

Unlike other solutions, which are limited by distance or operating time, DARPA is testing a system capable of reliably transmitting energy in real-world conditions. In the next phase of the project, scheduled for 2027, the plan is to increase the power to 10 kW and extend the distance to 200 km using aerial relays