Hardware Podcasts

Is nuclear fusion getting close?

Catalyst · 23 Dec 2021 · 47m

What this episode covers

Dr. Scott Hsu, ARPA-E’s program director for fusion R&D, explains that recent technical milestones, such as the National Ignition Facility’s 1.3 MJ yield, and massive funding rounds for startups like General Fusion, Helion Energy, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems, signal a shift in the fusion landscape. He details the physics of achieving scientific break-even and wall-plug gain, noting that while private companies are accelerating timelines using new superconductors and advanced manufacturing, significant challenges remain in scaling to economic viability. Hsu argues that fusion’s role will likely be in high-density, high-cost markets like Singapore and Japan, rather than displacing renewables entirely, with a target cost of under $50/MWh.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
General Fusion, Helion Energy, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Zap Energy, Energy Impact Partners, Sandia National Labs, ARPA-E
Also
National Ignition Facility, ITER, JET

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