Collaboration in Fusion is Key…. and other insights from TOFE 2024
The recent Technology of Fusion Energy (TOFE) 2024 conference provided a window into the future of fusion. Chaired by our CTO Ross Radel, the conference brought together industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to tackle pressing questions about the “public-private pivot to fusion energy.”
For the first time, private sector participation reached about 40% of attendees, which reflects a shift in the fusion landscape. Discussions at the conference highlighted how this public-private collaboration is accelerating progress, bringing diverse perspectives to solve complex problems, and potentially shortening the timeline to practical fusion energy.
In the final session, our founder, along with founders from Type One Energy and Realta Fusion shared their companies’ history and vision, and answered some big questions about the future of fusion energy.
Here's what stood out in that final session:
- The big picture takeaway: Create value now to build the foundation for fusion's future.
Greg discussed our step-by-step approach. He pointed to technologies like FLARE that solve current problems while pushing fusion energy forward. Chris Hegna from Type One Energy mentioned how recent successes in their stellarator programs have shaped their strategy: define desired plasma physics properties first and then determine the magnetic field configuration needed to achieve them.
- Everyone agreed – collaboration is key in the current stage of fusion development.
Kieran Furlong from Realta Fusion put it well: fusion systems are complex, and no single company can do it all. Greg echoed this, saying that right now, we need cooperation more than competition. Chris Hegna from Type One Energy highlighted another crucial aspect of collaboration: addressing common challenges that no single company is fully expert in. He pointed to issues like tritium handling and fuel cycle management as areas where shared knowledge and resources could benefit the entire industry. It's great to see Wisconsin companies leading the way in this collaborative approach.
- Engaging with and inspiring the next generation is crucial to addressing workforce challenges.
The fusion industry is growing fast, and we need people. Kieran shared an eye-opening stat: the fusion industry will need at least 400,000 people by 2050. That's both a challenge and a huge opportunity. Taking what he called a contrarian approach to addressing workforce challenges, Greg introduced an interesting concept: "making fusion standard." The idea is to simplify complex fusion systems so they don't need highly specialized operators. It's clearly a balancing act – we need to make fusion more accessible without compromising performance.
- Views differ on specialization in the fusion industry.
Each of the founders discussed the balance between specialization and maintaining a broad expertise. Greg emphasized that at this stage, having a wide range of in-house capabilities is crucial. He noted the significant role the systems and manufacturing team plays, highlighting the importance of being able to handle complex tasks internally. In contrast, Kieran argued that complete vertical integration isn't feasible in fusion due to the complexity and variety of subsystems involved. He suggested that companies will need to specialize in certain portions of fusion power plant development and collaborate with others for different aspects. However, there was also recognition that as the field matures, natural specializations will likely emerge, potentially leading to more inter-company collaboration on different aspects of fusion technology.
- Fusion companies must continue navigating the regulatory landscape.
Greg touched on the critical role of regulatory compliance in fusion development. Drawing from our experience in tritium handling, he hinted at an upcoming regulatory breakthrough that could be a game-changer for the industry.
The discussions at TOFE 2024 highlighted a pivotal shift in fusion energy development, showcasing how collaboration between industry, academia, and government is driving innovation. By working together, fusion companies are not just advancing individual goals, but are collectively pushing the boundaries of what's possible in fusion energy.
We're excited to be leading the charge. Our phased approach allows us to create immediate value – think Phoenix, FLARE, and Ilumira – while advancing toward our ultimate goal of fusion energy.
By solving current problems and iterating on our technologies in real-world conditions, we're not only accelerating the path to fusion energy but also building the financial foundation and public confidence necessary for its future.
