New Startup Technology Enables Wireless Power Transmission Across Air and Space

Greentech startups and scientific research teams are developing wireless power transmission technology to beam electricity across oceans, charge airplanes in flight, and send solar energy directly from space to Earth, according to reporting by Handelsblatt published on Sept. 7, 2026. The engineering efforts aim to modernize global power grids and reduce reliance on physical infrastructure for hard-to-reach locations and vehicles.

Transmitting Power Across Oceans and Charging Aircraft in Flight

Engineers are testing new methods to eliminate traditional copper cables and overhead lines by sending electrical energy through the air and over long distances. According to the Handelsblatt report, these initiatives include sending power across large bodies of water and replenishing aircraft batteries while planes remain airborne. Start-ups in the greentech sector are utilizing focused energy beams and advanced receivers to capture and convert transmitted signals back into usable electricity with minimal loss.

The technology addresses major logistical bottlenecks in aviation and maritime transport, where weight constraints and physical connection limits restrict operational ranges. By developing wireless energy transfer systems, researchers hope to enable continuous electric flight and supply power to remote islands or offshore installations without laying expensive underwater cables.

Harnessing Space-Based Solar Power

Beyond atmospheric applications, scientists are advancing concepts to capture solar energy in orbit and beam it down to the Earth’s surface. Space-based solar power systems collect sunlight above the cloud layer and outside the day-night cycle, offering a continuous power generation model. According to the Handelsblatt findings, transferring this orbital energy to ground stations relies on high-frequency electromagnetic waves or laser beams directed at specialized rectenna arrays.

While the technical principles of wireless power transmission are established, scaling the infrastructure for commercial deployment remains a significant hurdle. Researchers continue to address efficiency losses over distance, atmospheric interference, and regulatory frameworks required to manage directed energy beams safely across public airspace.