This Week’s Fusion News: Feb. 28, 2025
Things You Gotta Know
Proxima Fusion Releases Open-Source Stellarator Design
Proxima Fusion, a German startup emerging from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, has unveiled an open-source design for a commercial nuclear fusion power plant. The stellarator design is engineered for continuous and stable energy production, setting it apart from the more complex Tokamak reactors.
U.S. Department of Energy Increases Investment in Fusion Research
The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, is amplifying its investment in fusion energy research. The initiative reflects the DOE’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge energy technologies and addressing the nation’s long-term energy needs.
MIT Develops Advanced Superconducting Magnets for Fusion Applications
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have made significant strides in developing high-temperature superconducting magnets utilizing rare earth barium copper oxide (REBCO). These advanced magnets are pivotal in the progression of fusion power plants, as they enable the creation of stronger magnetic fields essential for plasma confinement.
Data Centers and the Insatiable Demand for Electricity
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
The evolution of data centers and the skyrocketing demand for power. Data centers have been around as long as computing; after all, the first computers (especially mainframes) were massive, expensive machines that needed significant power and cooling. Moreover, many of these systems ran military and/or intelligence programs, making physical security very important.
How Much HTS Tape Can All Those Pennies Make?
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
From loose change to limitless energy. For all of you who have tried to keep up with the myriad of appointments, executive orders, and other goings-on in the second Trump administration, one of the more curious ones was his order on February 10, 2025 directing the Treasury Department to stop minting pennies.
The “Wright” Leadership: Unpacking the DOE’s Strategy to Power America and Close the Electricity Gap
SPONSORED CONTENT
This webcast will explore Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’s bold, transformative strategy and examine the pressing challenges posed by America’s electricity gap and aging infrastructure. Our panel will analyze how these measures will impact key industries, from fossil fuels and renewables to grid modernization and energy exports.