Researchers have reviewed the research status of bidirectional wireless power transfer technology, focusing on the systems that allow energy to flow in both directions between wireless charging devices. The review examines bidirectional capacitive power transfer, typical conversion topologies, resonant networks, power control strategies, application scenarios, and future research directions.
Wireless power transfer, or WPT, has become increasingly important as charging systems move toward more flexible, contactless, and interactive energy exchange. In many earlier applications, wireless charging was mainly treated as a one-way process: power moved from a source to a load. As electric vehicles, distributed energy storage, and grid-interactive devices become more common, however, there is growing interest in bidirectional wireless power transfer, or BWPT, which can support energy exchange in both directions.
That bidirectional capability is especially relevant for vehicle-to-grid and device-to-device energy applications. A bidirectional wireless interface could, in principle, allow an electric vehicle or other storage device to receive power when charging is needed and return power when grid support or local energy sharing is valuable. Such systems could make charging more convenient while also supporting broader energy management goals. But bidirectional operation introduces additional design challenges compared with conventional one-way wireless charging.
The review first analyzes the development status of bidirectional capacitive power transfer, or BCPT, systems and identifies key issues that need to be addressed. Capacitive power transfer uses electric-field coupling rather than magnetic coupling to transmit energy across an air gap. In bidirectional systems, the coupling structure, converter design, and control strategy must all support power flow reversal while maintaining safety, efficiency, and stability.
The article also briefly describes the basic operating principle of BWPT systems before organizing major research achievements across several technical categories. One of these categories is bidirectional conversion topology. Topology choice affects whether the system can regulate voltage, control power flow, handle different load and source conditions, and maintain efficient operation in both directions. For engineers, topology is therefore not just a circuit detail, but a central design decision that shapes the entire system.
Another major category is resonant network design. Resonant networks are critical in wireless power transfer because they influence compensation, efficiency, power capability, and sensitivity to changes in operating conditions. In bidirectional systems, the network must support stable and efficient operation when the direction of energy flow changes. The review?s attention to resonant networks helps clarify why BWPT design requires coordination between power electronics and coupling structures.
The review also discusses power control strategies, which are essential for practical bidirectional operation. A BWPT system must be able to regulate the magnitude and direction of transferred power while responding to changes in device state, load demand, and system constraints. Control strategies therefore affect not only efficiency, but also reliability, interoperability, and the ability to integrate wireless charging devices into larger energy systems.
Application scenarios are another important part of the review. As WPT technology expands into more fields, bidirectional transfer may support energy interaction among wireless charging devices in transportation, distributed storage, consumer electronics, and other electrified systems. The practical value of BWPT will depend on whether these systems can be made efficient, safe, controllable, and compatible with real-world infrastructure.
Finally, the review points to future research directions that deserve attention. Continued work will be needed on key BCPT issues, high-performance conversion topologies, resonant network optimization, robust power control, and application-specific system integration. The article offers a useful roadmap for researchers and engineers working to move bidirectional wireless power transfer from technical concept toward deployable energy-interaction infrastructure. As electrified transportation and smart energy systems continue to grow, BWPT may become an important enabling technology for more flexible and sustainable power exchange.
Reference
Author:
Yang Wu a , Udaya K. Madawala b , Lei Zhao a , Xin Dai a
Title of original paper:
Research status of bidirectional wireless power transfer technology
Article link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773153725000167
Journal:
Green Energy and Intelligent Transportation
DOI:
10.1016/j.geits.2025.100266
Affiliations:
a College of Automation, Chongqing University, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400030, China
b Electrical Computer Software and Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Green Energy and Intelligent Transportation
Experimental study
Not applicable
Research status of bidirectional wireless power transfer technology
2-Jan-2026