US Department of Energy invests $107 million in fusion energy innovation

US Department of Energy invests $107 million in fusion energy innovation
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 17, 2025

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $107 million to support six projects under its Fusion Innovative Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives. This initiative, alongside progress in the Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, aims to fast-track the development of commercial fusion energy. Both programs are managed by the Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) division of the DOE's Office of Science and form critical components of the DOE's strategy to achieve commercial fusion energy.

"The launch of the DOE Milestone Program and FIRE Collaboratives are critical steps in accelerating progress toward the U.S. Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy," said Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk. "As the world races to make fusion a viable source of energy for industry and consumers, these programs signal that the U.S. intends to be the first to commercialize fusion energy through strong partnerships among our National Laboratories, universities, and the private sector to realize industry-led designs for fusion pilot plants."

Details of the FIRE Collaboratives

The FIRE Collaboratives aim to establish a robust innovation ecosystem by forming centrally managed virtual teams called "Collaboratives." These groups work to bridge FES's foundational research with the needs of the fusion industry, including efforts under the Milestone Program.

This initiative seeks to advance fusion research, create economic opportunities, strengthen U.S. leadership in fusion, and bolster domestic manufacturing and supply chains. Additionally, it aims to develop technologies crucial for national security and energy independence.

Initial projects under the FIRE Collaboratives include:

- Nuclear blanket testing capabilities at Idaho National Laboratory.

- Materials research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

- Materials testing and advanced simulation capabilities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

- Target injector technology for inertial fusion energy concepts.

- Fusion fuel-cycle testing at Savannah River National Laboratory.

The DOE has set a total anticipated funding of $180 million for FIRE Collaborative projects, spanning up to four years. Further awards may be issued depending on Congressional appropriations and available funding.

Advancements in the Milestone Program

Modeled on NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, the Milestone Program supports private companies as they achieve early science and commercialization goals. These firms collaborate with DOE to set technical and business milestones, which are independently reviewed to ensure credibility. Federal funding is distributed upon the completion of these milestones, with companies contributing over 50% of costs.

Since its launch in May 2023, Milestone awardees have collectively secured more than $350 million in private funding, amplifying the $46 million in initial federal investments. The program serves as a catalyst, reducing risks for multiple fusion development pathways and aligning technical milestones with commercial needs.

Key technical achievements include:

- High-gain target design modeling for laser-driven inertial fusion energy (Focused Energy).

- Demonstration of ion-beam focusing for fast-ignition inertial fusion energy (Focused Energy).

- Whole-device modeling for tandem-mirror fusion energy (Realta Fusion).

- Optimized stellarator equilibria for plasma confinement (Thea Energy).

- Development and operation of high-temperature-superconducting magnet coils for stellarator fields (Thea Energy).

All eight awardees of the program, including Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Tokamak Energy, Type One Energy, Xcimer Energy, and Zap Energy, are advancing toward pre-conceptual designs and roadmaps for their fusion pilot plants (FPPs). By the late 2020s, the most advanced projects aim to complete preliminary design reviews for operational FPPs targeted for the mid-2030s.

Program Background and Future Plans

Authorized under the Energy Act of 2020, the Milestone Program received its first funding in fiscal year 2022. The initiative is expected to receive up to $415 million through fiscal year 2027 under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Future phases depend on Congressional appropriations, successful negotiation of new milestones, and ongoing progress.

Research Report:Fusion Innovative Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives