High-power optical transmission (HPOT) holds transformative potential for revolutionizing energy delivery, offering a groundbreaking leap forward in how power is supplied and accessed. By utilizing a monochromatic light source as emitter and an optical photovoltaic converter as receiver, HPOT systems enable the sustainable transfer of kilowatts of power over hundreds of kilometers, overcoming the limitations of conventional copper wiring. This technology unlocks an extensive range of applications, from underwater environments to outer space, while driving disruptive advances in strategic fields such as energy supply, defense, communications, and healthcare. This work provides a comprehensive review of HPOT systems, including both optical wireless power transmissions and power-over-fiber systems. It begins with a historical overview and a description of the key performance indicators of the technology, followed by an evaluation of suitable high-power light sources. Then, the physical phenomena affecting light propagation are examined, as well as tracking mechanisms and safety measures that must be considered. Next, the photovoltaic receiver is analyzed in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic losses, and a comprehensive compilation of state-of-the-art performance results is presented. Finally, terrestrial and space prospective applications are explored, along with a survey of HPOT demonstrations conducted to date. 
Through a detailed research of the advantages, challenges, and key achievements of HPOT technology, this review aims to provide valuable insights to accelerate its development and adoption, paving the way for a more connected and sustainable future.

High-Intensity Wireless Laser Power Transmission (WLPT) is emerging as a ground-breaking technology with a wide range of promising applications, such as space exploration missions. While conventional photovoltaic devices primarily rely on GaAs-based converters, they present significant efficiency losses under high-intensity scenarios. This work explores the potential of novel wide-bandgap semiconductors, specifically SiCs and InGaN, to outperform traditional technologies. We conduct a comprehensive theoretical analysis of these materials as laser power converters across planetary atmospheres of the Solar System. Results indicate that InGaN and SiC-based converters could achieve efficiencies exceeding 75% in high potential candidates, with very tenuous atmospheres, such as the Moon or Mercury. For planets and satellites with Earth-like atmospheres, the efficiencies of these materials could be beyond 50%. In all cases, the novel, wide bandgap materials seem to outperform GaAs. These results highlight the suitability of wide-bandgap materials for WLPT paving the way for reliable and continuous in future and space exploration missions.

Wide bandgap semiconductors can improve the efficiency of optical power transmission (OPT) technology thanks to the reduction of series resistance and intrinsic entropic losses at extremely high-power densities. In this work, we propose optical photovoltaic converters (OPCs) made of silicon carbide (SiC), a wide bandgap material that is breaking new ground in power electronics. We implemented SiC polytypes in the typical horizontal architecture and in a novel vertical arrangement proposed by this group that can further reduce series resistance and shadow losses. Results show that SiC-based OPCs can improve the overall efficiency of the technology at ultra-high laser power densities, broadening the range of applications and paving a new route to revolutionize powering in space exploration.

The RePowerSiC project can open a path to high-power energy transmission technology for space applications. We aim to develop novel ultra-efficient SiC Optical Power Converters (OPCs) for in-space energy transmission in the range of kW/cm2 with efficiencies higher than 80% at extremely large distance. The OPCs are based on SiC polytypes, wide bandgap materials with high radiation resistance and thermal conductivity. These materials minimize the series resistance and intrinsic entropic losses of the photovoltaic receiver. Preliminary results show that SiC-based OPCs can greatly improve the efficiency of the technology, increasing one order of magnitude the power density, and broaden the range of HPLT applications.