General Fusion, a Canadian startup based in Richmond, British Columbia, is making significant strides in its quest to develop commercial fusion energy. The company has recently secured substantial funding and is advancing its ambitious plans to demonstrate fusion power generation within the next decade.
In August 2023, General Fusion announced $25 million in new funding and unveiled plans to build a demonstration machine called Lawson Machine 26 (LM26) at its Canadian headquarters[2][8]. This development represents a shift from the company’s previously announced Fusion Demonstration Program, which was to be built in Oxfordshire, UK[4].
The LM26 project aims to achieve two critical milestones: reaching fusion conditions of over 100 million degrees Celsius by 2025 and progressing towards scientific breakeven equivalent by 2026[2]. These goals are significantly more ambitious and near-term than the original timeline mentioned in the query.
General Fusion’s approach differs from other high-profile fusion projects like ITER in France or the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Instead of relying on expensive superconducting magnets (tokamaks) or powerful lasers, the company employs a unique method called Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF)[4].
The MTF technology involves injecting a magnetized plasma target into a cylinder of spinning liquid metal. This target is then mechanically compressed by an array of pistons to achieve fusion-relevant densities and pressures[4]. This approach aims to address challenges such as material degradation, fuel production, energy capture, and cost barriers that other fusion technologies face[3].
General Fusion has made significant progress in developing key components of its fusion system. The company has reported plasma lifetimes of up to 2 milliseconds and electron temperatures exceeding 400 eV (4,800,000 °C)[4]. Additionally, they have demonstrated the compression of a water cavity into a controlled, symmetrical shape[4].
The company’s efforts are supported by strategic partnerships with leading organizations in the nuclear industry. In April 2024, General Fusion launched a collaboration with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) to advance the design of its commercial fusion power plant[3]. This partnership aims to refine the integration of the fusion machine, balance of plant, and power conversion systems.
While the original query mentioned $13.5 million in funding, General Fusion has since secured significantly more investment. The recent $25 million funding round, along with previous investments from various sources, including the Canadian government and private investors, demonstrates growing confidence in the company’s approach[2][8].
General Fusion’s CEO, Greg Twinney, has stated that the company aims to provide fusion energy to the power grid by the early to mid-2030s[3]. This timeline is more specific and somewhat later than the “within the next decade” mentioned in the original query.
While challenges remain, General Fusion’s progress and the support it has garnered from industry experts and investors suggest that its approach to fusion energy is being taken seriously by the scientific community. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether this innovative approach can deliver on its promise of practical, commercial fusion power.
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[1] https://generalfusion.com
[2] https://www.powermag.com/canadian-groups-invest-millions-to-support-commercial-fusion-energy/
[3] https://generalfusion.com/post/general-fusion-partners-with-canadian-nuclear-laboratories-to-advance-commercial-power-plant-design/
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Fusion
[5] https://generalfusion.com/fusion-technology/
[6] https://generalfusion.com/about/fusion-infrastructure/
[7] https://generalfusion.com/fusion-demo-plant/
[8] https://www.geekwire.com/2023/general-fusion-lands-25m-in-funding-announces-new-plans-for-demo-reactor-in-b-c/
