The U.S. Senate’s Major progress for Fusion Energy Commercialization

The U.S. Senate’s Sept. 19th committee hearing on fusion energy showcased the progress the U.S. has made in fusion research, along with the challenges that remain to make this technology commercially viable. The hearing included testimonies from key figures in the fusion energy landscape, such as Dr. Jean Paul Allain (Associate Director for Fusion Energy, U.S. Department of Energy), Dr. Patrick White (​​Research Director, Nuclear Innovation Alliance), and Jackie Siebens (Director of Public Affairs, Helion). These experts explored how the U.S. can stay at the forefront of this increasingly competitive global field, instilling a sense of optimism about the future of fusion energy.

The Path to Fusion Energy

Fusion, the process that powers our sun and stars, offers the potential of virtually unlimited, clean energy with minimal environmental impact. Unlike nuclear fission, fusion Energy doesn’t produce long-lived radioactive waste and utilizes abundant materials, such as deuterium from water.  Within the past few years, “scientific breakeven” has been achieved. This is when fusion reactions produce more energy than they consume. While this achievement is an awe-inspiring step forward, the fusion industry has a ways to go before this energy source is commercially viable.

Over 40 U.S. fusion companies have collectively raised more than $7.1 billion, with over 85% of the funding coming from private investors. These companies, such as Helion Energy and Commonwealth Fusion Systems, are racing each and other countries’ efforts to build the first viable fusion power plants. Helion’s cutting-edge Polaris machine, expected to be completed this year, could be a turning point. Using pulse technology, Helion hopes to provide reliable, on-demand energy. The company signed a deal with Microsoft to deliver fusion-powered electricity by 2028, with penalties in place if this timeline is not met, demonstrating confidence in fusion’s feasibility.

Public and Private Collaboration

Experts like Dr. White and Dr. Allain emphasized the need for close collaboration between private companies, academic researchers, national labs, and federal agencies to accelerate progress. Dr. Allain advocated for more investment in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program to help meet long-term research goals. He also suggested continuing to leverage public-private partnerships to build up a manufacturing ecosystem for fusion technologies.

Dr. White laid out the four phases of development necessary to bring fusion energy to market: 

1. Scientific demonstration

2. Engineering demonstration

3. Commercial demonstration

4. Commercial deployment 

However, China is also investing heavily in fusion and advancing its technology rapidly, having already completed construction on both scientific and commercial demonstration facilities. Dr. White stated that to stay ahead, the U.S. must prioritize clean energy policies and support infrastructure and supply chains that accelerate these four phases domestically.

Siebens elaborated on China’s strategies, stating, “...China will put everything on the table to win. China has made fusion a cornerstone of its national innovation strategy, aggressively investing in research, development, and manufacturing capabilities, both for civilian and military applications. It is estimated China spends $1.5 billion dollars a year on fusion and has 10 times as many PHDs as America in this space. And China has a history of replicating US companies’ designs to develop their own systems. This is happening right now in fusion with multiple Chinese companies. One company launched a direct copycat program pursuing Helion's design and another publicly stated its intent to replicate key aspects of Helion's approach. We've seen it before, in solar and batteries, where the US pioneered breakthrough technologies only to lose out to China in the race to mass deployment.”

The First Fusion Power Plants

Helion’s innovative approach was highlighted to exemplify how private industry is currently leading the charge to make fusion energy a reality. Its proposed plant, which will be about the size of a football field, is expected to deliver 50 megawatts of power. If all goes according to Helion’s plans, the plant’s cost of energy could drop to 1 cent per kilowatt hour. (According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of energy is currently over $0.17.) A 30-day supply of fusion fuel will take up about as much space as a bowling ball, which highlights how compact and efficient fusion energy can be.

Additionally, Helion is working with industrial partners like Nucor Steel in West Virginia to explore co-location opportunities. Placing fusion energy plants near power-hungry datacenters factories, etc. would help address these facilities’ intensive power needs while also reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels and decreasing the load on the power grid.

Supply Chain Challenges

One of the significant concerns that surfaced during the hearing was the necessity of a robust supply chain to support the burgeoning fusion energy industry. With China implementing bans on the export of key materials and components, such as high-performance magnets, the importance of domestic manufacturing for critical components like high-voltage capacitors and semiconductors was stressed by fusion industry leaders to prevent countries like China from controlling this vital industry.

“To meet projected energy demand growth and to secure US leadership, we must prepare to deploy not just one, but many fusion power plants across America and the globe. And this requires a strategic two-pronged approach: first building resilient supply chains and second, establishing bold new regulatory pathways,” Siebens testified. “There are several things we must do to bolster our supply chains, including adapting existing government programs to fusion, such as the Department of Energy's loan programs office, the 45x manufacturing production tax credit, and the CHIPS and Science Act. But eventually, we also need to develop a new bold program for fusion, akin to the CHIPS Act. It should include strategic manufacturing support to provide significant funding to build out the ​​manufacturing capacity necessary for large-scale fusion deployment, and move the US towards applied materials R&D.”

Senators expressed bipartisan support for expanding programs that help the fusion supply chain, such as extending tax credits for fusion-related manufacturing. Dr. White suggested that the federal government should play a critical role by establishing national test facilities for materials research to help develop and test new alloys and materials for commercial fusion plants, highlighting the potential for collaboration in this area. “...accelerating fusion commercial development and deployment in the United States will require private sector investment and continued federal government coordination and support,” White stated. “I believe two major factors should be prioritized as we work towards the commercialization of fusion energy: first, we need to ensure that clean energy policies are technology-inclusive, to create a clear market for fusion energy as a firm, clean energy source. Second, private companies, academic researchers, National Labs, and the federal government must closely coordinate and collaborate to implement and support, with appropriate federal funding and policies, an integrated fusion energy program that effectively and efficiently prioritizes efforts to accelerate fusion energy commercialization through all four stages of development, demonstration, and deployment.”

Regulatory and Policy Implications

The regulatory framework for fusion energy was another key concern addressed at this hearing. Dr. White underscored the need to design fusion plants with safety and waste management in mind. Although fusion waste is significantly less dangerous than nuclear fission waste, its handling and storage must be optimized. This requires a forward-thinking regulatory approach that supports innovation while ensuring safety.

In terms of energy policy, there was a call for technology-inclusive policies that support all forms of clean energy, including fusion. This is especially important as the U.S. looks to expand renewable energy infrastructure and meet its long-term carbon reduction goals. Fusion’s potential to provide consistent, baseload power could make it a cornerstone of the future clean energy mix.

Key Takeaways

• Fusion hopes to become a primary energy source that is virtually unlimited, clean, and eventually very inexpensive to produce.

• Over 40 fusion companies have collectively raised more than $7.1 billion over the past 5 years, with 85+% of it being private capital.

• China is building up its labs and research programs while also working to corner the market on critical materials and components.

• Current cutting-edge companies are entering into agreements to co-locate power stations with power-hungry facilities and provide power in the late 2020s/early 2030s.

• The U.S. needs to establish and secure fusion supply chains to prevent adversarial countries like China from stealing IP or disrupting our ability to acquire necessary materials. 

The Fusion Future

The hearing focused on both the optimism for the future of fusion technology in the U.S. and the many challenges that still lay ahead. While the private sector is progressing rapidly, public sector support is critical to ensuring the U.S. remains competitive, especially with China providing almost twice the funding for its fusion endeavors. Dr. Allain projected that fusion pilot plants could begin to emerge in the 2030s, though some companies may get there even sooner.

Ultimately, fusion energy commercialization is not just about technical success - it’s about building an entire ecosystem around this technology, from supply chains to regulatory frameworks. If successful, fusion energy will revolutionize how we power our world, providing a virtually limitless, clean energy source for generations.

This Senate committee hearing underscored that fusion energy is no longer just a scientific dream but an impending reality. With strong bipartisan support, continued public and private investment, and close collaboration between the public and private sectors, fusion energy should become a vital part of the U.S. and global energy landscape. As companies push the boundaries of what’s possible, the promise of clean, affordable, and abundant energy is closer than ever.