Nuclear fusion could transform the energy sector. Chevron and Alphabet are already investing.

Nuclear fusion could transform the energy sector. Chevron and Alphabet are already investing.

The latest step toward pollution-free power has the potential to transform the energy sector, perhaps decades from now, but some companies are already positioning themselves to benefit.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Tuesday that scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California had made “a tremendous scientific breakthrough” in their tests of nuclear fusion, the reaction that powers the sun. While prior efforts to achieve fusion—combining two hydrogen atoms to produce helium in a reaction that produces energy—consumed more energy than they released, the Livermore scientists flipped the balance.

Scientists produce nuclear fusion breakthrough

Scientists produce nuclear fusion breakthrough

The Department of Energy is expected to announce tomorrow that researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab in California have used lasers to produce a nuclear fusion reaction that creates energy. NBC News’ Tom Costello shares more about what scientists are calling the “Holy Grail” of clean energy.

U.S. to report breakthrough in clean energy

U.S. to report breakthrough in clean energy

Basically the sun in a box. To talk about what this may mean in the long term implications I’m joined by Michael — CEO of T 80 technologies, the private fusion energy company. Michael, great to have you on the show. You have the tough job here of explaining this to our audience. In layman’s terms, explain exactly what’s being achieved here?

TAE Technologies’ statement on US nuclear fusion advancement

TAE Technologies’ statement on US nuclear fusion advancement

Today we congratulate our colleagues at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, many of whom we’ve known and worked alongside for decades in the pursuit of fusion.

The scientific break-even advancement represents a theory made reality. Fusion has long been dubbed the “holy grail” of clean energy and this advance brings us one step closer to true viability. Today’s net energy milestone validates a major breakthrough for the entire global field of fusion.