Commercial fusion

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Commercial fusion is a term used to refer to privately owned companies whose aim is to sell electricity produced by nuclear fusion. The industry now consists of over 40 companies that have attracted a combined total of more than $7 billion in investment. [1] [2]

Contents

Commercial fusion companies

CompanyYear foundedMethodFuelNotes
Acceleron Fusion (formerly NK Labs, LLC)2023 (NK Labs founded 2008)Muon-catalyzed fusiondeuterium–tritium [3] [4]
Avalanche Energy2018Hybrid: colliding beam, electrostatic confinementdeuterium–tritium [5]
Blue Laser Fusion2022Inertial confinementproton–boron [6]
Commonwealth Fusion Systems 2018Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [7]
Compact Fusion Systems, Inc.2018[ citation needed ]
Crossfield Fusion Ltd2019Closed orbit, velocity resonant systemsReactor development canceled 2021. [8] [9]
CTFusion Inc 2015Ceased trading in 2023. [10]
Deutelio2022Magnetic confinementdeuterium–deuterium [9]
Electric Fusion Systems, Inc.2020Rydberg matter fuel-based fusionproton–lithium7 [11]
EMC2 Fusion1985 Polywell [12] [13]
Energy Singularity Fusion Power Technology2021Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [14]
ENN Energy 2018Magnetic confinementproton–boron [15] [7]
EX-Fusion2021Inertial confinementdeuterium–tritium [16]
First Light Fusion 2011Inertial confinementdeuterium–tritium [17] [18] [9] [19] [7]
Focused Energy2021Inertial confinementdeuterium–tritium [20] [9] [19] [21]
Fuse2019Magneto-inertialdeuterium–tritium[ citation needed ]
Fusion Power Corporation2016Heavy ion fusiondeuterium–tritiumDissolved in 2019. [22]
Gauss Fusion2022Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [9]
General Atomics Fusion Division2022Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [23]
General Fusion 2002Magneto-inertialdeuterium–tritium [7]
HB11 Energy2017Non-thermal laser fusionproton–boron [24] [25] [26]
Helical Fusion2021Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [16]
HelicitySpace Corporation2018Magneto-inertialdeuterium–deuteriumFor spaceflight uses [27]
Helion Energy 2013Magneto-inertialdeuterium–helium3 [28]
Horne Technologies2008Hybrid confinement: magnetic, electrostaticdeuterium–deuterium, proton–boron [29] [ better source needed ]
HyperJet Fusion [7]
KMS Fusion 1969Inertial confinementdeuterium–tritiumClosed in 1991 [30]
Kyoto Fusioneering2019deuterium–tritium [16] [31]
LaserFusionX2022Inertial confinementdeuterium–tritium [21]
Lockheed Martin 2010 [32] [7]
Longview Fusion Energy Systems2021Inertial confinementdeuterium–tritium [19] [21]
LPP Fusion, Inc.[ citation needed ]2003Magnetic confinement pinchproton–boronAlso known as "Lawrenceville Plasma Physics"; see Eric J. Lerner article
Magneto Inertial Fusion Technology Inc. (MIFTI)2009Magneto-inertialdeuterium–tritiumDivision of US Nuclear Corp [33]
Marvel Fusion2019Inertial confinementproton–boron [9] [21]
Norront Fusion Energy2017Muon-catalyzed fusion [34]
NT-Tao2019Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [35]
NearStar Fusion2021Magneto-inertialdeuterium–tritium, deuterium–deuterium, proton–boron [36] [37]
Novatron Fusion Group AB2019Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [38] [39] [40]
OpenStar Technologies 2021Magnetic confinementdeuterium–deuterium (tritium suppressed)[ citation needed ]
Princeton Fusion Systems1992Magnetic confinementdeuterium–helium3 [41] [7]
Proxima Fusion 2023Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [9]
Realta Fusion2022Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [42] [43]
Renaissance Fusion2021Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [9]
Stellarex, Inc2022Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [31]
SHINE Technologies 2005Magneto-electrostatic confinementdeuterium–tritiumSHINE's focus is radioisotope production, not energy. [44] [45]
TAE Technologies 1998Magnetic confinementproton–boronformerly Tri Alpha Energy [7]
Thea Energy (formerly Princeton Stellarators)2022Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [31]
Tokamak Energy 2009Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [31]
Type One Energy Group2019Magnetic confinementdeuterium–tritium [43]
Ultrafusion Nuclear PowerMerged with Norront Fusion AS in 2018. [34]
Xcimer Energy Inc. 2022Inertial confinementdeuterium–tritium [19]
Zap Energy 2017Magnetic confinement pinchdeuterium–tritium [28]

First fusion electricity to the grid

Commercial fusion companies predict that fusion power is roughly 10 years away Commercial fusion electricity production predicitions.svg
Commercial fusion companies predict that fusion power is roughly 10 years away

For decades researchers have famously said that fusion power is always 30, or even 50, years away. [46] [47] The advent of commercial fusion has changed that, and now fusion power is typically predicted to be around 10 years away, with most companies predicting that the first fusion plant will deliver electricity to the grid before 2035. [48] Although the majority of the companies have only existed for a few years, some have already failed to deliver on their predictions. General Fusion first predicted that it would deliver electricity to the grid by 2009. [49]

References

  1. ↑ "2024 Annual Global Fusion Industry Report" (PDF).
  2. ↑ Hiller, Jennifer; Niiler, Eric; Woodward, Aylin (12 December 2022). "U.S. to Announce Nuclear-Fusion Energy Breakthrough". Wall Street Journal . Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  3. ↑ Knaian, Ara (7 April 2020). "Conditions for High-Yield Muon Catalyzed Fusion". Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). US Department of Energy . Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Acceleron Fusion raises $24M in seed funding to advance low-temp fusion". www.ans.org. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  5. ↑ Writer, Staff (16 April 2025). "Avalanche Energy launches FusionWERX". Nuclear Engineering International. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  6. ↑ Yamada, Ryotaro (23 July 2023). "Nuclear fusion race draws in Nobel-winning LED pioneer". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Clynes, Tom (28 January 2020). "5 Big Ideas for Making Fusion Power a Reality". IEEE Spectrum . Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers . Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Mission". Crossfield Fusion. Retrieved 2 August 2023. The company adopted a new approach to building fusion reactors based on patented technology (US8138692) called the Epicyclotron. The company was founded in 2019 and developed a working fusion device in 2021 based on this approach. In October 2021 the company determined through the experimentation work completed and detailed 'particle in cell' modelling of loss mechanisms that the reactor would not scale as initially anticipated (and therefore could not be developed to deliver a net gain fusion reactor). The company is currently exploring the use of this technology they developed in hydrogen isotope separation as part of the fusion fuel cycle.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bacon, Alexandra (27 July 2023). "Mapping Europe's nuclear fusion industry". Sifted . Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  10. ↑ Stiffler, Lisa (5 April 2023). "Energy startup CTFusion folds as co-founders land at rival Zap". GeekWire. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  11. ↑ Emilio, Maurizio Di Paolo (8 July 2021). "EFS Plans Aneutronic Fusion Reactor". EE Times Asia. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  12. ↑ "Low-Cost Fusion Project Steps Out of the Shadows and Looks for Money". NBC News . 13 June 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  13. ↑ Ventura, Tim (13 December 2019). "Robert Bussard on IEC Fusion Power & The Polywell Reactor". Dialogue & Discourse. Medium . Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  14. ↑ Li, Stephanie (4 May 2023). "Chinese nuclear-tech firm Energy Singularity raises $58m funding". DealStreetAsia. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  15. ↑ Barcelo, Yan (1 November 2022). "Nuclear Fusion May Be Nearer Than You Think". Morningstar . Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 Foster, Scott (30 May 2023). "Japan's fusion start-ups starting to roll in money". Asia Times . Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  17. ↑ Andrews, Charlotte; Stern, Jeremy (14 July 2023). "Oxfordshire start-up hopes to transform nuclear fusion production". BBC News . Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  18. ↑ "First Light Fusion demonstration plant site agreement, targets 2024 construction start". World Nuclear News. World Nuclear Association. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Clery, Daniel (15 February 2023). "Startups try to turn laser fusion success into clean power plants". Science . Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  20. ↑ Henrikson, Eric (20 June 2023). "Austin-based company attempts to design fusion power plant in Texas". KXAN-TV . Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Kramer, David (March 2023). "NIF success gives laser fusion energy a shot in the arm". Physics Today . 76 (3): 25–27. Bibcode:2023PhT....76c..25K. doi: 10.1063/PT.3.5195 . S2CID   257301499 . Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  22. ↑ "Fusion Power Corporation". Canada Company Directory. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  23. ↑ Nikolewski, Rob (2 June 2023). "A step closer to making nuclear fusion a reality? San Diego's General Atomics partners with UK company". San Diego Union-Tribune . Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  24. ↑ Davidson, John (2 August 2023). "US backs Sydney fusion start-up's nuclear ambitions". Australian Financial Review . Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  25. ↑ Margarone, Daniele; Bonvalet, Julien; Giuffrida, Lorenzo; Morace, Alessio; Kantarelou, Vasiliki; Tosca, Marco; Raffestin, Didier; Nicolai, Philippe; Picciotto, Antonino; Abe, Yuki; Arikawa, Yasunobu; Fujioka, Shinsuke; Fukuda, Yuji; Kuramitsu, Yasuhiro; Habara, Hideaki; Batani, Dimitri (January 2022). "In-Target Proton–Boron Nuclear Fusion Using a PW-Class Laser". Applied Sciences . 12 (3): 1444. doi: 10.3390/app12031444 . ISSN   2076-3417.
  26. ↑ Jones, Jonathan Spencer (31 March 2022). "Australia's HB11 Energy demonstrates laser-powered nuclear fusion". Power Engineering International . Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  27. ↑ Marin, Natalija; Warznak, Grace; You, Setthivoine; Bellan, Paul; Pree, Seth; Romero-Talamás, Carlos; University of Maryland, Baltimore County Team (1 January 2021). "Engineering Design and Testing of the HelicitySpace Novel Rocket Concept". APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts. 2021: TP11.076. Bibcode:2021APS..DPPTP1076M.
  28. 1 2 Harris, Mark (29 June 2023). "Welcome to Fusion City, USA". IEEE Spectrum . Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers . Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  29. ↑ Meschini, Samuele; Laviano, Francesco; Ledda, Federico; Pettinari, Davide; Testoni, Raffella; Torsello, Daniele; Panella, Bruno (August 2023). "Review of commercial nuclear fusion projects". Frontiers in Energy Research . 11. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2023.1157394 . ISSN   2296-598X.
  30. ↑ Heppenheimer, Thomas (1984). The Man-made Sun: The Quest for Fusion Power. Little, Brown. pp. 107–113. ISBN   9780316357937.
  31. 1 2 3 4 "FY2023 Awards Announced by DOE « INFUSE". Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  32. ↑ Clery, Daniel (17 October 2014). "Updated: Are old secrets behind Lockheed's new fusion machine?". Science . Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  33. ↑ Whittington, Mark (28 February 2021). "Solving the climate and energy crises: Mine the Moon's helium-3?". The Hill . Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  34. 1 2 "Developing new clean energy solutions from nuclear fusion (announcement)". GU Ventures (Swedish Government owned, University of Gothenburg managed (in Swedish). 2 April 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  35. ↑ Lisbona, Natalie (27 April 2023). "The Israeli plan to fit a fusion reactor into a container". BBC News . Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  36. ↑ Hronik, Richard H. (24 March 2023). "Local fusion energy company commissions new experiment". Fairfax County Times. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  37. ↑ Brain, Marshall (19 May 2023). "Climate hope: Fusion dream moving closer to reality as clean power source". WRAL-TV TechWire. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  38. ↑ Ericsson, Lisa (6 December 2022). "Fusion energy is focus of KTH investment (announcement)". KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Press release). Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  39. ↑ Lindsten, Per Olof (23 May 2023). "Fusion, edible bottles and electric aircraft: here are three hot Swedish projects". Google Translate . Dagens industri . Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  40. ↑ Cyrus, Callum (8 December 2022). "Looking to deliver fusion reactors from 2040 onwards, Novatron raises €3 million seed round". Tech.eu. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  41. ↑ Paluszek, Michael (15 November 2018). "Next-Generation PFRC". Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) (Press release). US Department of Energy . Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  42. ↑ Nykiel, Teddy (5 June 2023). "Madison fusion energy startup lands $12 million to decarbonize heavy industry". Milwaukee Business Journal . Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  43. 1 2 Heidemann, Emilie (1 June 2023). "2 Madison-area companies get federal money to help curb climate change through fusion energy". Wisconsin State Journal . Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  44. ↑ Rude, Logan (3 August 2023). "Local fusion technology company takes step forward in developing small-scale nuclear reactions". WISC-TV .
  45. ↑ Still, Tom (19 December 2022). "Fusion energy breakthrough is huge, but other uses will come first". Wisconsin State Journal . Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  46. ↑ Nathaniel Scharping (23 May 2016). "Why Nuclear Fusion Is Always 30 Years Away". Discover Magazine. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  47. ↑ "Why LIFE: Ready to Make History". Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. 24 July 2012. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. The standard joke about fusion is that it is 50 years away and always will be.
  48. ↑ The global fusion industry in 2023 – Fusion Companies Survey by the Fusion Industry Association (PDF) (Report). Fusion Industry Association. 12 July 2023. p. 3. Retrieved 13 July 2023. In this report, 25 companies think the first fusion plant will deliver electricity to the grid before 2035.
  49. ↑ "General Fusion: Investor". General Fusion. Archived from the original on 2 September 2003. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
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