Seems like 200MWe-500MWe is the sweet spot for commercial fusion energy, at least in the short term.
The Fusion Report has two great stories today: the State of Tennessee is granted an operating license for Type One Energy to build a 400MWe fusion plant at the TVA Bull Run, Tennessee site; and Realta Fusion and Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) announced that they are forming a strategic partnership to explore the construction of 200MWe fusion energy power plant in Wisconsin. It is interesting that both of these plants are in the range of 200MWe to 500MWe, which is also where Commonwealth Fusion System’s ARC tokamak (500MWe) fits. First we will present the announcements, and after that we will cover why the announcements by these two companies are important.
Press Release: Governor Bill Lee, TDEC Announce First License for Commercial Fusion
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to announce the issuance of the state’s first ever fusion-specific byproduct material license to Type One Energy in preparation for a new commercial fusion project. Tennessee is the first state in the nation to issue a license under a new regulatory framework specifically for nuclear fusion machines.
Gov. Lee was joined by leaders from Type One Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for the announcement at the annual meeting of the Organization of Agreement States (OAS) held in Nashville. OAS is the scientific and professional organization of state radiation control directors.
“As the global epicenter of nuclear energy, Tennessee is building the workforce, infrastructure and regulatory framework needed to lead the next generation of nuclear innovation,” said Gov. Lee. “By creating a clear path for emerging technologies like fusion, we’re advancing the reliable, abundant American energy we’ll need for generations to come.”
When the Nuclear Regulatory Commission delegated regulation of fusion energy production to the states, TDEC’s Division of Radiological Health took the lead in creating a first-of-its-kind licensing program for fusion machines and fusion-related activities.
“Issuing this license is a significant milestone that solidifies Tennessee’s reputation as the global hub for nuclear innovation,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “We are proud to develop this groundbreaking regulatory framework for fusion energy that will serve as a model for other states.”
Type One Energy and the TVA worked closely with TDEC to prepare the application and submit plans. The Knoxville-based company intends to break ground on the first phase of Project Infinity at TVA’s Bull Run Energy Complex in Clinton, Tenn., this year, and expects a full startup by 2034.
“For the first time, a fusion power plant-specific licensing process has been developed and then used to grant a fusion-specific license to operate a fusion machine, consistent with a national regulatory framework for fusion energy,” said Christofer Mowry, CEO of Type One Energy. “The importance of this milestone cannot be overstated. Tennessee’s licensing process is now the international benchmark for how to ensure fusion power plant ‘safety by design’ in a manner that can unlock the compelling economics of this transformational power generation technology. We are grateful and honored to receive this initial fusion machine license for Project Infinity.”
Type One Energy’s commercial site will function as a fusion development campus through projects between the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TVA, and the University of Tennessee. Type One’s Infinity Two is forecast to be a 400 MWe fusion power plant using stellarator technology.
Nuclear fusion is the process by which two or more light atomic nuclei combine to form a single, heavier nucleus. This clean process releases large amounts of energy and is the same reaction that powers the sun and other stars.
A fusion machine is defined as any machine capable of:
- Transforming atomic nuclei, through fusion processes, into different elements, isotopes, or other particles; and
- Directly capturing and using the resultant products, including particles, heat, or other electromagnetic radiation.
Press Release: Realta Fusion & Madison Gas and Electric Announce Strategic Partnership to Explore 200-MWe Fusion Energy Power Plant in Wisconsin
Realta Fusion, the world’s leading magnetic mirror fusion energy company, today announced a strategic partnership with Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) and its parent company, MGE Energy, Inc., to explore joint development of a 200-megawatt electric (MWe) fusion energy power plant in Wisconsin.
MGE Energy made a direct equity investment in Realta in the first phase of the partnership. The utility company has also agreed to provide Realta with equipment, engineering, and technical support along with assistance for siting, permitting, interconnection, and financing of the anticipated 200-MWe plant.
“Our agreement with MGE to explore the opportunity to build out a fusion power plant is a clear signal that fusion’s time is coming,” said Realta CEO Kieran Furlong. “Fusion energy will be the ultimate source for zero-carbon electricity for humanity’s growing needs, and now we have a forward-thinking partner in MGE ready to help us make fusion real.”
A future fusion power plant in Wisconsin would represent a first-of-its-kind investment in next-generation carbon-free energy technology and help advance MGE’s goal of net-zero carbon electricity.
“At MGE, we’ve long believed that achieving a net-zero carbon future requires innovation, partnerships and a willingness to explore emerging technologies,” said MGE Chairman, President, and CEO Jeff Keebler. “Realta is developing a promising fusion technology right here in Madison, and this collaboration reflects our commitment to exploring emerging technologies that have the potential to deliver reliable, around-the-clock carbon-free energy for our customers and communities.”
The Realta Forge
The agreement deepens existing ties between Realta and MGE. Realta recently announced plans to lease approximately 250,000 square feet of office and industrial space for the company’s research and development facility, The Realta Forge. The facility is located at OM Station – the former site of Oscar Mayer’s plant and headquarters – in MGE’s service territory.
Working Toward Net-Zero Carbon Electricity
Reducing carbon emissions is a core priority for MGE. In 2019, MGE became one of the first utility companies in the United States to commit to net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. MGE’s ongoing investments in carbon-free energy generation are part of a broader strategy to ensure safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the future.
Why These Announcements From Type One and Realta Are Important
The announcement from Realta Fusion and MGE is important because it is the fourth announced partnership between a utility and a fusion energy company to build a commercial power plant. With this announcement, Realta Fusion and MGE join the following announced partnerships:
- Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) and Dominion Energy, who are building a 400 MWe tokamak power plant in Chesterfield County, Virginia;
- Proxima Fusion, RWE, the Government of Bavaria, and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics to build a commercial stellarator in Europe.
- Type One Energy and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) which are building a 350-450 MWe stellarator at the TVA’s retired Bull Run coal electricity plant; and
The Type One Energy and State of Tennessee announcement is also important because it grants the operating license for Type One’s 400MWe stellarator, one of the big hurdles to overcome in building a commercial fusion energy plant. Congratulations to Type One Energy/TVA/the State of Tennessee and Realta Fusion and MGE.
