Things You Gotta Know

ITER Advances with Completion of World’s Most Powerful Magnet
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in France has achieved a significant milestone with the completion and testing of its central solenoid, the world’s most powerful magnet. This component is crucial for confining the super-heated plasma necessary for fusion reactions. Despite previous delays, assembly is now underway, with the start-up phase scheduled for 2033. The project’s progress underscores the potential of international collaboration in advancing fusion energy.

China Accelerates Fusion Ambitions with New Reactor Developments
China is rapidly advancing its fusion energy capabilities, constructing several reactors, including a massive facility in Sichuan province. The country’s investment in fusion research aims to position it as a global leader in the field, with projects that rival or surpass existing international efforts. These developments reflect China’s commitment to achieving energy independence and technological leadership in fusion energy.

Satellite Imagery Reveals Rapid Construction of China’s Fusion Research Center
Recent satellite images have unveiled the swift construction of a colossal laser fusion research facility in Mianyang, China. The center’s design, featuring multiple laser bays and a central target chamber, suggests capabilities that could rival the U.S. National Ignition Facility. This rapid development highlights China’s aggressive approach to advancing its fusion research infrastructure.

ITER Opens Access to Fusion Research Tools for Private Sector
The ITER Organization has made its Integrated Modelling & Analysis Suite (IMAS) and International Tokamak Physics Activity (ITPA) resources accessible to privately funded fusion initiatives. This move aims to foster collaboration between public and private sectors, accelerating the development of fusion energy technologies by providing standardized tools for modeling and analysis.

Focused Energy to Retrofit Former Nuclear Site into Fusion Power Plant in Germany
U.S.-German startup Focused Energy has entered into an agreement with energy conglomerate RWE and the German state of Hesse to convert the decommissioned Biblis nuclear power plant into a 1-gigawatt fusion facility by 2035. The project, estimated to cost up to $7.6 billion, will utilize advanced solid-state lasers that are 30 times more efficient than those in Focused’s U.S. laboratories. This initiative aligns with Germany’s renewed interest in nuclear technologies following its 2011 nuclear phase-out, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower emissions. The federal government’s strong support for fusion energy underscores its commitment to integrating fusion into the national energy mix.

TAE Technologies’ ‘Norm’ Reactor Promises Breakthrough in Fusion Efficiency
TAE Technologies, in collaboration with the University of California, has developed a prototype fusion reactor named ‘Norm’ that utilizes a field-reversed configuration (FRC) to confine plasma without the need for large superconducting magnets. The design reportedly achieves 100 times the power output of traditional fusion devices at half the cost. 

Interview with Xcimer Energy: NIF-Style Inertial Confinement is Alive and Well in Denver!

BY MICHAEL HEUMANN

Xcimer Energy is reimagining inertial confinement fusion with high-power UV-native KrF lasers, simplified beamlines, and a liquid metal first wall. In this in-depth interview, founders Conner Galloway and Alex Valys share how Xcimer plans to scale ICF into commercial power plants by 2035 and why the U.S. must act now to stay ahead in the global fusion race.

Go Deeper >

Want to learn more about Xcimer Energy? Stay tuned for our full insider interview coming out soon, exclusively available to premium subscribers of The Fusion Report.

The History of Magnetic Confinement Fusion

BY MICHAEL HEUMANN

Magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) has shaped the fusion landscape for decade – from the Soviet T-3 and ITER – to modern ventures like Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Helion. This article explores the history, reactor types, key milestones, and how private investment is accelerating the push toward commercial fusion power.

Go Deeper >