This Week’s Fusion News: May 22, 2026
May 22, 2026
The Fusion Report sized up where battery energy storage technology is headed and asked whether the next generation of AI-powered robots will run on fusion. The NRC is moving toward a substantially lighter federal review of fusion, Germany joined the EU’s IPCEI on innovative nuclear technologies for fusion only, Singapore’s A*STAR signed a five-year research pact with CFS, Canada backed a fusion-based copper-67 isotope production project, General Fusion brought on capital markets veteran Thomas Boehlert as it prepares for the public markets, and JT-60SA cleared its upgrade cycle and prepared for restart.
Will Next-Generation Artificial Intelligence Robots be Powered by Fusion Energy?
May 21, 2026
Storage on the Grid: Improving Availability and Resilience
/ August 21, 2025
Grid-scale battery storage in the U.S. nearly doubled in 2024 and is on track to triple by 2026. With distributed home storage and global momentum accelerating, energy storage is becoming a key enabler of resilience, grid stability, and 24/7 clean power. We explore the current state of storage, its global implications, and where tariffs and tech trends could push the sector next.
Data Center Growth: What is Reality, and Who Should be Paying for It?
/ August 19, 2025
AI-driven data center growth is putting serious strain on power grids and ratepayers are footing the bill. This article examines conflicting demand forecasts, the real impact on electricity prices, and whether tech giants should shoulder more of the infrastructure costs.
Plasma stability, boron powder shielding, and AI ignition prediction: this week’s news highlights fusion R&D breakthroughs. Brookings warns that fusion and AI are now at the heart of the U.S.–China competition, and ITER’s massive vacuum vessel gets a $180M boost from Westinghouse.
Highlights From The Fusion Report Webinar: “Fusion 2035: The 10-Year Shot Clock”
/ August 14, 2025
From SPARC to stellarators and tandem mirrors, the Fusion 2035: The 10-Year Shot Clock webinar brought together leaders from across the global fusion ecosystem. Experts from Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Xcimer Energy, Pacific Fusion, Thea Energy, Peak Nano, nT-Tao, Helical Fusion, and ITER shared insights on commercialization timelines, supply chain readiness, and why fusion’s success depends on parallel progress from startups, policymakers, and public-private partnerships.
Helping ITER Operate in a Vacuum: The Supply Chain Steps Up
/ August 12, 2025
ITER has tapped Westinghouse to build its 5,200-ton vacuum vessel, highlighting how global industrial expertise is being mobilized for fusion. This $180M contract signals the scale, complexity, and cross-sector opportunity emerging in the fusion energy supply chain.
China ramps up fusion with a $2.1B industrial push, Realta Fusion paper models Q>5 with magnetic mirrors, and new super-steels and RAFM alloy findings.Read our top stories in this week’s fusion energy roundup.
Interview with Realta Fusion: Making Tandem Magnetic Mirrors Work for Fusion Energy
/ August 7, 2025
Realta Fusion VP of R&D Derek Sutherland breaks down how tandem magnetic mirrors and recent modeling advances show Q>10 is achievable, setting the stage for a FOAK fusion plant in the early 2030s. With a focus on simplicity, scalability, and direct energy conversion, Realta is carving its own path in the fusion race.
The Race to the World’s First Fusion Power Plant: Who is Really Going to Win the Race?
/ August 5, 2025
Helion Energy has started construction of its Orion fusion plant in Washington, aiming to supply power to Microsoft by 2028. But what does being the “first” fusion power plant truly mean? We explore Helion’s challenges, how it stacks up against the Commonwealth Fusion Systems ARC project, and why the race to commercial fusion matters for global clean energy growth.