American Nuclear Fusion Company, Helion Energysigned an innovative agreement with Microsoft, announced the company this Wednesday (10). This is the first agreement of its kind on the source of energy that powers the Sun, but it was not easy for a person to reproduce it. Nuclear fusion occurs when two light atoms, such as hydrogen, are heated to extreme temperatures and fuse to form a heavier atom, releasing a large amount of energy.

Until now, fusion reactions carried out in the laboratory were short-lived and consumed more energy than they gave off.. However, companies in the sector have already raised about $5 billion (24.7 billion reais) in private research and development funding in an effort to make nuclear fusion a commercial reality.

Helion expects the plant to be fully operational by 2028. The facility will aim to generate 50 megawatts or more within one year. Remarkably, one megawatt is enough to power about a thousand US homes during a typical day.

“Fifty megawatts is a big first step towards industrial nuclear fusion, and the revenue generated will be reinvested in developing more power plants.David Kirtley, founder and CEO of Helion, said.

The Polaris reactor, which is a seventh-generation Helion machine, is due to enter service next year and demonstrate power generation using a combination of laser and magnetic technologies to achieve fusion. In 2021, Helion became the first private company to reach temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius, when the ideal temperature for fusion is about twice that, Kirtley said.

While many nuclear fusion companies are looking for tritium, a rare isotope of hydrogen, to help with the reaction, Helion plans to use helium-3, a rare type of gas also used in quantum computing. So far, the company has already raised more than 570 million US dollars (2.8 billion reais) in private investment. Sam AltmanCEO Open AIprovided 375 million in 2021.

The terms of the electricity purchase agreement between Helion and Microsoft were not disclosed.

Energy production still depends on approval

Helion still needs to obtain a design and construction permit from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in addition to local permits. The nuclear fusion industry welcomed the NRC’s decision last month to separate regulation of fusion from fission, a move that proponents of the technology say could shorten license approval times.

“The business world is starting to realize that a nuclear holocaust is just around the corner, perhaps sooner than most people thought.said Andrew Holland, director of the Fusion Industry Association.This represents a vote of confidence in Helion and other companies working to prove the concept of their machines.“

Nuclear fusion could revolutionize the energy industry by offering a clean, safe and virtually inexhaustible source of electricity. Unlike nuclear fission, which generates radioactive waste and the associated safety risks, nuclear fusion is a safer technology and produces less waste.

In addition to Helion Energy, several other companies and institutions are committed to developing nuclear fusion as a viable energy source. These include Commonwealth Fusion Systems, General Fusion, and ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), an international collaboration to build the first commercial nuclear fusion reactor.

While technical and regulatory challenges remain to be resolved, the partnership between Helion Energy and Microsoft is a promising sign that nuclear fusion is moving closer to a commercial reality. If successful, this technology could radically change the way electricity is produced, offering a clean and sustainable source to meet the world’s growing energy needs.

Mundo Conectado Deal Center: Selection of Discounts and Lowest Prices
Best deals on electronics, cell phones, TVs, soundbars, drones and more

Source: Reuters.

…..