RePowerSiC will take part in the IEEE Wireless Power Technologies Conference and Expo 2026 (WPTCE 2026) with the workshop “Advances and Challenges in Laser Wireless Power Transmission for Space and Terrestrial Applications”, organised by Prof. Antonio García Loureiro and Prof. Natalia Seoane Iglesias from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), together with Prof. Eduardo Fernández from the University of Jaén (UJA).

The workshop will focus on recent progress, open challenges, and future perspectives in laser-based wireless power transmission, addressing both space and terrestrial applications. It will provide a forum for researchers and experts to discuss technological advances, system-level developments, and emerging opportunities in this rapidly evolving field.

Speakers:

A central feature of the workshop will be its invited speakers, who will bring complementary perspectives from advanced optoelectronic devices, power beaming systems, space innovation and technology commercialisation.

Simon Fafard

Broadcom Industrial Fiber Product Division, Ottawa, Canada

Simon Fafard is a hardware specialist at Broadcom's Industrial Fiber Product Division (IFPD) in Ottawa, Canada, focusing on the design, epitaxy, and characterization of advanced optoelectronic devices.

Vitalii Kapranov

PowerIn.Space (Founder)

Vitalii Kapranov is an engineer, researcher, and tech entrepreneur specializing in laser wireless power transmission, optics, atmospheric propagation, and space systems. He is currently the founder of PowerIn.Space, a photonics company developing laser-based systems for terrestrial and space applications, including long-range wireless power transmission.

Stela Tkatchova

European Innovation Council (Ambassador)

Stela Tkatchova is the Programme Manager for Space Systems & Technologies at the European Innovation Council (EIC), where she oversees portfolios supporting breakthrough innovations in the European space sector. She specializes in the commercialization of space technologies and previously managed major ESA and EU projects in telecommunications (ARTES INDIGO, GOVSATCOM, O3B) and Earth observation (Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-3).

Tom Nugent

PowerLight Technologies, USA (CTO and Co-Founder)

Tom Nugent is the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of PowerLight Technologies (formerly LaserMotive), a leading company in laser power beaming and optical wireless power transmission.

By bringing together these experts, the workshop will offer participants a comprehensive view of laser wireless power transmission, from device-level advances and system integration to space applications, terrestrial use cases and future commercial opportunities.

For further information, click here.