Tokamak Energy, the leading developer of fusion technology, has unveiled the first design details for its pilot fusion power plant . This announcement was made during the American Physical Society (APS) Plasma Physics Division Annual Meeting, held in Atlanta, Georgia.
The design is based on a high-field spherical tokamak, an advanced structure that will enable large-scale commercial fusion power generation. The plant is designed to produce 800 megawatts (MW) of fusion power and 85 MW of net electricity , enough to power more than 70,000 U.S. homes. This project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s long-term vision to bring fusion energy to commercial viability within the next decade.
An achievement in the development of the project
Erik Maartensson, engineer at Tokamak Energy, presented the early design workflow and progress of the high-field spherical tokamak during the 66th APS DPP Annual Meeting on October 7, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The presentation was part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, a key initiative to advance the commercialization of fusion energy. This program seeks to demonstrate the technical feasibility of fusion and its ability to generate clean, emission-free energy.
The pilot plant will be based on a set of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, which will allow control of the hydrogen plasma, the key fuel in the fusion process, which will reach temperatures much higher than the core of the Sun. The spherical tokamak , with a radius greater than 4.25 meters and a magnetic field of 4.25 Tesla, is essential to keep the plasma confined and stable.
Global impact of fusion energy
Nuclear fusion, considered a clean and safe source of energy, has the potential to replace fossil fuels. Tokamak Energy’s plant aims to become a global model for the implementation of energy without harmful emissions. A single kilogram of fusion fuel can generate the same amount of energy as burning 10 million kilograms of coal, which represents a substantial step forward in the fight against climate change.
We are excited by the enthusiasm generated by the initial design of our high-field spherical tokamak. Our goal is to demonstrate the net capacity of this pilot plant by the mid-2030s.
Said Michael Ginsberg, president of Tokamak Energy.
The future of energy is here!
Tokamak Energy , with over 10 years of experience in fusion reactor development, is positioned as a leader in the field. The company is the first private company to reach plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius, a key milestone in achieving the viability of fusion energy.
The plant design also includes a breeding layer for tritium and liquid lithium, which are essential for the fusion fuel cycle. This project advances the creation of energy without harmful emissions, which will be key to meeting the energy needs of the future.
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Source and photo: Tokamak Energy
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