First Light Fusion’s Post

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the UK’s national fusion energy research and development organisation, has awarded six organisations with £9.6 million of contracts to advance their concepts to support fusion energy development... The contracts were awarded to three universities and three companies focusing on digital engineering and fusion fuel cycle developments dedicated to addressing fusion energy challenges. The contracts range between £460,000 and £1.9m, and are funded by UKAEA’s Fusion Industry Programme, an initiative launched in 2021 to develop the necessary technology and skills for the future global fusion powerplant market. The contracts will develop next-generation digital tools for future fusion powerplant designs, and advanced production and handling of hydrogen isotopes. Tim Bestwick, UKAEA’s Chief Development Officer, said: “There has been significant progress in the development of fusion science, engineering and technology, both in the UK and globally. “These organisations have been awarded contracts to scale up their projects after successfully developing their technologies to the ‘proof of concept’ stage. The continued support from the Fusion Industry Programme will enable these fusion projects to be scaled up and contribute further to the growth of the global fusion powerplant market.” The latest contracts build upon the Fusion Industry Programme contracts awarded in December 2023. The Fusion Industry Programme represents a crucial component of UKAEA’s pioneering efforts alongside academia, other research organisations, and the industrial supply chain to commercialise fusion energy technology. The full list of organisations awarded contracts to scale up their fusion projects under Cycle One, Phase Two, of the Fusion Industry Programme - along with their Project Titles and Project Summaries, go to https://lnkd.in/eVYuRA9M Department for Energy Security and Net Zero l The University of Manchester l University of Liverpool l IS-Instruments Ltd l AQSORPTION LTD l University of Bristol l Full Matrix Ltd

Executive Summary: The article "The Quest to Build a Star on Earth" by Raymond Zhong, published in The New York Times, explores the advancements and challenges in the pursuit of fusion energy. Fusion energy, a potentially limitless and clean power source, has been a long-standing goal for scientists. Recent developments by start-ups and significant investments from notable figures like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos suggest that we are closer than ever to achieving practical fusion energy. However, the journey is fraught with technical difficulties and historical setbacks. Main Points: Fusion energy aims to replicate the process that powers the sun, fusing lighter elements into heavier ones to release vast amounts of energy. Start-ups claim that their fusion machines will soon produce more energy than they consume, potentially generating electricity for various industries and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Major investors, including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in fusion start-ups, hoping for a breakthrough. Fusion start-ups are not only focusing on laboratory research but also on developing supply chains, workforce, and regulatory frameworks to make fusion a practical power source. The history of fusion research is marked by missed deadlines and disappointments, with many projects failing to meet their ambitious goals. Creating fusion energy involves heating gas to over 100 million degrees Celsius to form plasma, which must be contained and controlled using strong magnets or lasers. Government labs have made significant progress in fusion research, but funding cuts in the 1990s slowed advancements. New machines and technologies are required to achieve sustained fusion energy production, necessitating substantial financial investments. Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a leading start-up, is building a demonstration device called SPARC, aiming to produce net energy by 2027 and generate electricity by the early 2030s. Other start-ups are exploring alternative fusion machine designs, such as stellarators, cylindrical reactors, and devices using electrical zaps or pistons. The fusion industry is experiencing a boom, with numerous companies vying to achieve practical fusion energy, though some researchers caution against overpromising results. Summary Statement: The quest for fusion energy is progressing with significant investments and innovative approaches from start-ups. While the potential for limitless, clean energy is tantalizing, the journey is filled with technical challenges and a history of setbacks. The fusion industry is hopeful, but cautious optimism is warranted as new machines and technologies are developed to achieve sustained fusion energy production.

https://lnkd.in/gqnWFJRN Like most evolving technical innovations, fusion energy’s forward progress varies in different parts of the world and is impacted by occurrences and milestones, many of which are neither scientific nor engineering (or even necessarily fusion-related). Let’s investigate some of those milestones and occurrences worldwide and see what their impacts have been and/or may be on the progress towards commercialization of fusion energy worldwide and in the leading regions of the world pursuing fusion energy. To provide a level of quantifiability to these, we will rate these on a scale from 1 = “very negative” to 5 = “very positive” (3 = “neutral”), and citing regions if the impact is not the same worldwide. #fusionenergy

Realising fusion energy’s potential in Europe Massimo Garribba, Deputy Director-General responsible for the co-ordination of EURATOM policies in the Directorate-General for Energy at the European Commission, details Europe’s journey towards the realisation of fusion energy. As Europe works towards achieving net zero targets and sustainability goals, could fusion – powering the sun and stars – be the energy of the future? Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/e2eUPiTa #fusion #fusionenergy #fusionresearch #energy #fusionpower

🌍 Global Power Plant Control System Market: Driving Efficiency in Energy Production ⚡ The Global Power Plant Control System Market is projected to reach US$ 10.39 Bn by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period. Key Market Insights: 🔹 Dynamic Growth Drivers: With rising electricity demand, especially in emerging economies, and the need for eco-friendly and efficient power plant operations, the market is set to expand steadily. 🔹 Segment Highlights: DCS Segment: Major contributor, driven by coal-based thermal plants in APAC, nuclear facilities, and hydroelectric projects in Latin America. Renewables Segment: Expected to dominate due to significant global investments and increasing automation in renewable energy facilities in Europe, APAC, and North America. 🔹 Regional Spotlight: Asia Pacific: Leading the market with growing power consumption and modernization efforts in countries like India and China. Research Approach: Data from Bloomberg, Factiva, and Hoovers was triangulated with expert insights to estimate market size and trends. Top-down and bottom-up methodologies ensured accuracy in global and regional forecasts. Strategic Focus: Key market players are leveraging investments, strategic expansions, and competitive positioning to gain a stronghold in this evolving market. 📈 Are you ready to explore opportunities in the Power Plant Control System Market? Let’s shape the future of energy together! 🌟 #PowerPlantControl #EnergyEfficiency #RenewableEnergy #Automation #GlobalMarkets #SustainableEnergy #APACGrowth #CleanEnergy Click Here:https://lnkd.in/dzMS9vBF

🌟 Fusion energy is moving from promise to reality 🌟 Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ bold announcement to build ARC, the world’s first grid-scale fusion power plant, signals growing confidence in the commercialisation of fusion energy. This privately funded project is set to redefine the future of clean energy. Our latest #NewsInsights article breaks down the significance of this milestone and how it fits into the broader fusion landscape, with insights from experts like Stuart Allen and Pietro Barabaschi. ➡️ Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ebEDb64j What are your thoughts on ARC’s potential to reshape the fusion landscape? Let us know in the comments! #FusionEnergy #CleanEnergy #EnergyInnovation

Innovative superconductors: A key to fusion energy Danish deep-tech company SUBRA A/S has overcome key challenges for superconductors used in fusion systems with a new advanced high-temperature superconductor solution for sustainable fusion energy production. To achieve Europe’s net zero climate goals and ensure a sustainable energy supply, a transformation in electricity production is required. This involves decarbonising the energy system and significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels. While wind and solar energy play a major role, they are not enough on their own. Fusion energy emerges as a promising so-called baseload, offering the potential to replace fossil fuels and provide a constant, continuous energy source. However, realising this potential requires advancements in superconductor technology and intense scaling of production capacity – a challenge that SUBRA has taken on. https://lnkd.in/eixBwdyn #fusion #fusionenergy #fusionpower #nuclearfusion

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 [𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧] The Next Generation Energy Storage market size is projected to reach $40.5 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 9.18% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Energy storage is the pivotal technology that is reshaping the energy sector by enabling widespread deployment and grid integration of solar and wind renewables 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 : @ https://lnkd.in/gDj869M3 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 Solid-State Batteries: Solid-state batteries are gaining traction due to their higher energy density, longer lifespan, and enhanced safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Companies and researchers are investing heavily in developing solid-state batteries for applications ranging from electric vehicles (EVs) to grid storage. 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐝-𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Flow Batteries: Flow batteries, such as vanadium redox flow batteries, are becoming more popular for large-scale energy storage. They offer the advantage of long cycle life, scalability, and the ability to independently scale energy and power capacities. 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝-𝐭𝐡𝐞-𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 Residential and Commercial Storage Solutions: There is growing interest in smaller, decentralized energy storage systems for homes and businesses. These systems can store energy from solar panels or other renewable sources, providing backup power and helping to manage energy use more efficiently. 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 : @ https://lnkd.in/gcXB7-RG 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 : NextEra Energy Resources|QuantumScape|Gentherm|Tidewater|LG Energy Solution|Boston-Power|Jay Cashman, Inc.|EMD Electronics|Vitol|Sky Climber Renewables|Fenix International|Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP)|Dialog Semiconductor|GS Yuasa Battery Europe Ltd|CLOU ESS|United Information Technology (UIT) #EnergyStorage #BatteryTechnology #SolidStateBatteries #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #SmartGrid #SustainableEnergy #GreenEnergy #EnergyInnovation #ElectricVehicles #GridStorage #BatteryResearch #FutureOfEnergy #LithiumIonBatteries #EnergyTransition

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 [𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧] The Next Generation Energy Storage market size is projected to reach $40.5 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 9.18% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Energy storage is the pivotal technology that is reshaping the energy sector by enabling widespread deployment and grid integration of solar and wind renewables 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 : @ https://lnkd.in/gDj869M3 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 Solid-State Batteries: Solid-state batteries are gaining traction due to their higher energy density, longer lifespan, and enhanced safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Companies and researchers are investing heavily in developing solid-state batteries for applications ranging from electric vehicles (EVs) to grid storage. 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐝-𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Flow Batteries: Flow batteries, such as vanadium redox flow batteries, are becoming more popular for large-scale energy storage. They offer the advantage of long cycle life, scalability, and the ability to independently scale energy and power capacities. 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝-𝐭𝐡𝐞-𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 Residential and Commercial Storage Solutions: There is growing interest in smaller, decentralized energy storage systems for homes and businesses. These systems can store energy from solar panels or other renewable sources, providing backup power and helping to manage energy use more efficiently. 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 : @ https://lnkd.in/gcXB7-RG 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 : NextEra Energy Resources|QuantumScape|Gentherm|Tidewater|LG Energy Solution|Boston-Power|Jay Cashman, Inc.|EMD Electronics|Vitol|Sky Climber Renewables|Fenix International|Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP)|Dialog Semiconductor|GS Yuasa Battery Europe Ltd|CLOU ESS|United Information Technology (UIT) #EnergyStorage #BatteryTechnology #SolidStateBatteries #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #SmartGrid #SustainableEnergy #GreenEnergy #EnergyInnovation #ElectricVehicles #GridStorage #BatteryResearch #FutureOfEnergy #LithiumIonBatteries #EnergyTransition

Keeping Up with Texas Energy: Your Go-To Tool for ERCOT Insights Texas energy professionals know that staying informed is not just a preference—it’s a necessity. With energy demand surging in the Lone Star State and groundbreaking developments like Gulf Coast hydrogen hubs, floating solar, and AI integration into nuclear power, it’s clear that the energy landscape is evolving faster than ever. This week’s highlights from Grid Monitor’s Power Breakfast News underline just how complex and dynamic our market has become: 🌐 Hydrogen on the Gulf Coast: UT’s energy experts are leading the way in bolstering U.S. energy supply through new hydrogen hubs. 💡 Solar Goes Aquatic: The U.S. is on track to install 0.7 GW of floating solar by 2033, offering innovative solutions for land-constrained areas. 📈 Data Centers Drive Demand: CPS Energy’s $1.3 billion transmission plan is part of Texas’s efforts to meet skyrocketing energy needs. ⚡ Battery Facilities in Focus: Discussions around studying battery installations in Kerr County highlight the growing role of energy storage in grid reliability. 🔍 Thermal Energy Networks: Cities across the U.S. are exploring decarbonized energy solutions for neighborhoods, proving that innovation can start at the local level. With so many changes and opportunities, managing the regulatory and operational complexities of ERCOT’s market can feel overwhelming. That’s where Grid Monitor steps in. ✅ Smart Agenda: Track key meetings like the latest PUCT investigation or ERCOT updates, with video clips, filings, and curated news in one place. ✅ Real-Time Updates: Stay ahead of market shifts and developments with custom notifications tailored to your priorities. ✅ Streamlined Insights: Whether it’s hydrogen hubs, solar, or storage, Grid Monitor organizes it all so you can focus on making informed decisions—not hunting for information. In a market as fast-paced as Texas energy, Grid Monitor ensures you stay informed, focused, and ready to act. If you’re navigating ERCOT’s regulatory landscape, don’t go it alone. Let Grid Monitor simplify your workflow. Start your free trial today—no credit card required. https://lnkd.in/etqDECkr Let’s tackle the future of Texas energy together. #GridMonitor #ERCOT #TexasEnergy #Renewables #BatteryStorage #Hydrogen #EnergyInnovation #RegulatoryInsightsn