New Milestones Show Fusion’s Global Momentum
Innovation from global leaders in the East and West are shaping the future of fusion energy.
5 Things You Should Know
Plasma Compression Milestone: General Fusion's Breakthrough
General Fusion has achieved a critical milestone in plasma compression, generating an unprecedented 600 million neutrons per second. This breakthrough demonstrates the company's ability to produce sustained plasma performance, a key step toward commercial fusion energy. By focusing on Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF), General Fusion aims to create scalable and cost-effective fusion solutions, edging closer to a practical alternative to traditional nuclear energy sources. This achievement reinforces the growing momentum in private-sector fusion innovation.
China's Accelerated Path in Nuclear Fusion
China is emerging as a global leader in nuclear fusion, achieving significant milestones that suggest it may outpace traditional powerhouses like Europe, the U.S., and Japan. With advancements such as the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), which sustained a record-breaking plasma temperature, China's strategic investments and government support are positioning it at the forefront of fusion technology. This progress highlights a shift in global innovation dynamics and underscores the urgency for other nations to accelerate their own fusion programs.
Tokamak Energy Partners with U.S. and UK Governments for Fusion Advancements
Tokamak Energy has announced a $52 million collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to enhance its record-breaking ST40 spherical tokamak. This initiative focuses on integrating lithium as a plasma-facing material to improve performance, inspired by pioneering research from the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). As the only private company with over a decade of tokamak expertise, Tokamak Energy aims to leverage this partnership to advance fusion energy as a clean, limitless, and secure power source. The program aligns with the 2023 "fusion strategic partnership" between the U.S. and UK, fostering innovation across universities and national labs
Electricity Demand Surge Outpaces Projections, Posing Challenges for U.S. Grid
A new report from consultancy Grid Strategies projects a significant 16% increase in U.S. electricity demand by 2029, with peak demand forecasts jumping fivefold over the past two years, driven by data centers, manufacturing, and other energy-intensive sectors. The surge is straining efforts to decarbonize the power grid, potentially extending the lifespan of coal plants and boosting gas usage despite increased adoption of renewables and nuclear energy. The report highlights the critical need for standardized load forecasting to ensure the grid can support rising demand, which is essential for U.S. leadership in AI, battery production, and chip manufacturing.
Irish-Led Fusion Startup Secures Investment from Packers and Microsoft
An Irish-led fusion startup has attracted significant investment from a venture fund backed by the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft. The funding highlights growing confidence in the potential of fusion energy as a viable clean energy solution. The startup, focused on advanced fusion technologies, represents a rising wave of innovation in the global fusion sector. This partnership emphasizes the increasing collaboration between private capital and high-tech energy ventures.
Fusion on Earth vs Fusion in the Sun – How Do They Differ?
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
The Big Fusion Machine in the Sky: Last week, one of our articles discussed the differences between how national labs approach to fusion research versus the commercial approaches to fusion energy. In this article, let’s expand the scope and look at how our solar system’s most extensive fusion “machine” approaches fusion – the Sun.
Company Profile: Focused Energy
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
7 Questions with Focused Energy: Born from the innovative spirit of the Technical University of Darmstadt in 2021, Focused Energy is a transatlantic force driving the future of clean energy. The company is committed to making laser-based fusion a reality, offering the world a safe, limitless, and sustainable energy source.
Getting Fusion to the Grid – Differences in Approaches Between Fusion Companies and Research Labs
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
So, what drives the timeline for commercial fusion? As our previous article pointed out, there are five challenges to achieving commercially-available fusion power on the grid. Let’s take another look at these from the perspective of commercially available fusion power.
The Fusion Report 2025 Survey
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
Thank you for letting us share The Fusion Report, and we hope you had a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving. As we look ahead to 2025, we'd love to hear your thoughts on what you want to see in The Fusion Report next year. If you could take this short 7-question survey.