Laser Power Delivery: Wireless Power Beaming and Power Over Fiber

This webinar will cover the fundamentals and applications of using light to move electricity. First, the webinar will cover power-over-fiber (PoF) systems, explaining how laser light sent through fiber optic cables safely delivers electricity to challenging environments, like undersea distribution networks and 5G radios. Next, it will cover free-space laser power beaming, detailing how a ground-based laser transmitter and a drone-mounted receiver work together to wirelessly power systems in flight. Finally, the webinar will cover recent testing milestones and the engineering efforts required to transition these optical technologies into reliable, field-deployable hardware.

Subject Matter Level: Intermediate - Assumes basic knowledge of the topic

What You Will Learn:

• The basic principles of power beaming (converting electrons into photons and back), and what this technology enables for both free-space and fiber-optic systems.
• Power-over-Fiber (PoF): Using laser light in fiber optic cables to deliver electricity to remote systems like undersea infrastructure and 5G radios.
• Free-Space Power Beaming: Using ground-based lasers to wirelessly power drones in flight, and the engineering required to build the hardware.

Who Should Attend:

• Engineers and technical leads in industrial photonics, optical communications, and power delivery systems who want to explore new methods of wireless and fiber-based power transmission.
• R&D professionals working on drones, undersea infrastructure, 5G networks, or energy systems seeking practical insights into power-over-fiber and free-space laser technologies.
• Decision-makers and project managers in industrial sectors evaluating emerging photonics solutions for integrating power and data delivery.

About the Presenter: Mitchell A. Kirby from PowerLight Technologies

Mitchell A. Kirby is the Product Manager and Lead Strategist at PowerLight Technologies, where he is currently leading the productization efforts for laser power beaming systems. His work in optical power delivery includes a field-deployable product designed to wirelessly power drones in flight, as well as optical power-over-fiber (PoF) systems. Mitchell earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Washington and his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.