Several fusion startups are making strides in the field. Longview Fusion Energy Systems, launched by veterans of the U.S. Energy Dept.'s laser test, has hired Fluor Corp. to design and build a commercial power plant. Commonwealth Fusion Systems is building a fusion complex in Massachusetts, with plans to finish commissioning by the end of 2025. Helion, a Washington-based developer, is testing technology to directly extract power from the fusion reaction, aiming to build an energy-efficient system. Other firms, such as Type One Energy and TAE Technologies, are also pursuing fusion technology development.
Key takeaways:
- The quest to develop nuclear fusion as an earth-based power source has been ongoing for over a century, with billions of dollars invested into government-funded facilities and experiments.
- Nuclear fusion is a power source that can generate nearly four million times more energy than fossil fuel combustion and four times more per kilogram of fuel than an existing fission nuclear power plant, with no carbon emissions nor major risk of nuclear waste or meltdown.
- Recent fusion breakthroughs have elevated the power source as a priority and spurred more action to create technological, political, regulatory and financial incentives to develop projects to mitigate impacts sooner.
- Despite the progress, there are still significant scientific and engineering challenges to overcome, and some experts are skeptical about the viability of fusion power, arguing that renewable energy sources like wind and solar power are more practical.