Editor-in-Chief, The Fusion Report
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.
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.
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.
Fusion energy companies nearly doubled their supply chain spending in 2024, but risks remain. Fusion Industry Association CEO Andrew Holland discusses supply chain gaps, the role of data centers, and China’s competitive push; stressing the need for investment, policy support, and workforce development to accelerate commercialization.
China leads the world in manufacturing solar, wind, and grid components, and is moving aggressively into fusion energy. This dominance poses challenges to energy independence for the U.S. and its allies, highlighting the urgent need for reshoring production, investing in domestic supply chains, and securing critical infrastructure.
Fusion energy’s supply chain will make or break commercialization timelines. Each component requires specialized suppliers and engineering expertise. Let’s examine the companies and challenges driving these critical links.
At the Great Lakes FusionX Conference, leaders from SHINE Technologies, Realta Fusion, and the U.S. Department of Energy laid out practical strategies for financing, scaling, and deploying commercial fusion. The Midwest is becoming a serious player in the fusion race.
The U.S. grid is facing a perfect storm: surging demand, aging infrastructure, and a patchwork response from policymakers. While DoE reports blame retiring plants and renewables, the real issue may be structural. Fusion energy won’t arrive fast enough to help, but meaningful planning and investment still could.
About Helical Fusion Helical Fusion is a Japan-based startup developing steady-state fusion power systems built on stellarator technology. Originating from leading academic institutions including...
In an exclusive interview, Helical Fusion COO Yosuke Kubo shares insights into their unique “heliotron” stellarator approach to fusion energy. Backed by engineering expertise and a strategic national interest in energy independence, Helical Fusion aims to bring commercial fusion online in the early 2040s.
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