BRUCETON MILLS, W.Va. (WV News) — A company located in West Virginia will utilize federal grant funding in its pursuit of developing nuclear fusion technology.
Tokamak Energy, Inc., located in Bruceton Mills in Preston County, was one of eight firms recently awarded funding from the United States Department of Energy.
Totaling $46 million across the different firms, the funding aims to develop pilot fusion energy power plants, with the goal of completion being in the five to-10 year range.
The company is a subsidiary of Tokamak Energy Ltd., a global commercial fusion energy company headquartered near Oxford in the United Kingdom.
Traditional nuclear energy, which powers atomic bombs and nuclear power plants, is generated through fission, a process which sees single atoms of unstable radioactive materials being separated into multiple atoms, a process which releases energy.
Nuclear fusion is the process of combining two elements into a single element, which also releases energy. Fusion is the process that occurs within stars.
Fusion energy is not currently viable because a fusion reaction is difficult to create and sustain on Earth.
Developing technology to make fusion energy generation possible on Earth would provide “an abundant, inherently safe, non-carbon-emitting energy source,” according to the DOE.
Tokamak Energy specializes in one type of fusion reactor: the tokamak. This kind of reactor confines plasma in a torus — or a donut shape.
Fusion energy scientists believe tokamaks are the leading plasma confinement concept for future fusion power plants, according to the Department of Energy.
Tokamak Energy has developed its own compact spherical tokamak, which it hopes to use in tandem with its high temperature superconducting magnets to create a viable fusion reactor.
“Combining the increased efficiency of the spherical tokamak with the improved magnetic confinement made possible by high-field HTS magnet technology, provides the most viable route to cost-effective fusion energy in compact machines,” according to the company’s website.
The company hopes to have commercial fusion power plants deployed in the mid 2030s.
The DOE funding was awarded as part of the agency’s Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program and represents “a major step in President (Joe) Biden’s commitment to a pilot-scale demonstration of fusion within a decade,” according to a press release from the agency.
“We have generated energy by drawing power from the sun above us. Fusion offers the potential to create the power of the sun right here on Earth,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to partnering with innovative researchers and companies across the country to take fusion energy past the lab and toward the grid.”
Applicants for these awards — selected by competitive peer review under the DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program — went through a rigorous merit-review process that included evaluation of their scientific, technical, commercialization and business and financial viabilities.
“We are delighted to be selected by the U.S. DOE for its Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program,” said Warrick Matthews, Tokamak Energy’s managing director. “It’s a fantastic endorsement of the strength of our team, technology and path to commercial fusion energy, combining the spherical tokamak with high temperature superconducting magnets.
“We look forward to working with the DOE on the next steps towards delivering clean, secure, affordable fusion power to the world, addressing the twin challenges of energy security and climate change.”
The total funding of $46 million is for the first 18 months, with funds coming from Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. Projects may last up to five years in duration, with outyear funding contingent upon congressional appropriations, and continued participation from the teams contingent upon satisfactory progress in meeting the negotiated milestones.
The funding award to Tokamak Energy drew praise from West Virginia’s U.S. senators.
“West Virginia has always been a pioneer in energy generation for our country, and this funding from the DOE reflects that proud history and tradition,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito. “Funding like this can help create opportunities for reliable energy production and works to foster a secure energy future. I am looking forward to seeing how Tokamak Energy, Inc. uses these resources to develop new fusion technologies to help strengthen American energy production.”
“I could not be prouder that Tokamak Energy was picked alongside only seven other companies from around the nation to help advance the future of fusion energy,” said Sen. Joe Manchin. “I am genuinely excited by the potential of fusion energy and technology to transform our future and contribute to our energy and national security.
“West Virginia has always been America’s energy powerhouse, and Tokamak is only the latest example of the Mountain State upholding our legacy and helping America remain a global energy leader.”