For a field that has existed for more than 60 years, a lot has happened in fusion research in the last half-decade. In fusion’s case, a trio of technological advances converged in the early 2010s to unleash a wave of innovation. “I think you see this beautiful inflection point in this field where the science maturity and technical capability come together,” said Michl Binderbauer, CEO of TAE Technologies.
Some companies are exploring different fuels as well as different designs. California-based TAE Technologies, which has been in business since 1998, is building a nuclear reactor that’s designed to fuse hydrogen with boron-11 by colliding plasma “smoke rings” inside a long, cigar-shaped chamber. This setup would need to hit temperatures even higher than those in tokamaks. But if scaled-up versions work, they could generate electricity without the neutron fusillade.
Our current domestic electrical grids are woefully inept to integrate necessary renewable energy sources. The answer to solving this problem lies within a new approach to energy use: one that focuses on optimizing the way customers and their technologies interact with the grid.
Nuclear fusion is the reaction that powers stars and scientists say replicating it on Earth could produce all the energy we’ll ever need without the CO2.
Growing investment and collaboration are making nuclear fusion more viable than ever.
Ahead of the cold winter weather, there is a rush on heating fuel in Ireland, where people are stockpiling turf logs — a uniquely Irish fuel that is made from dried-out bricks of peat cut from the country’s once extensive boglands.
Nuclear fusion is the primordial source of the sun’s energy. For decades, scientists have been trying to re-create it on Earth. Now they’re closer than ever to achieving it—and to unlocking a future of clean power for all.
Nuclear fusion might be one of the most valuable tools humans will develop to battle climate change—but will we all be underwater by the time it gets here? There is no question that the next few years are critical. “We know that we can do some impact positively with renewables, no question. But we also know that they can’t do 100 percent,” TAE Technologies CEO Michl Binderbauer told Newsweek. “What ideally happens is we maximize solar and wind as soon as we can in areas where it makes sense … And hopefully, very quickly, you’re ramping fusion.”
TAE Technologies, a private company founded to commercialize fusion energy with the cleanest environmental profile, has been awarded a highly competitive California Competes Grant by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
The $17.4 million grant will directly support job creation in fusion development, as well as TAE’s rapidly expanding power management business.
Goldman Sachs selected Binderbauer from multiple industries to be honored at the two-day event.
TAE was founded to commercialize a completely safe, sustainable, non-radioactive source of carbon-free energy, capable of meeting humanity’s growing energy needs without impacting the environment.
Following scientific milestones with current fusion reactor, Norman, TAE receives investments from long-term partner Google, as well as Chevron, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas, and others to fund the construction of the company’s sixth-generation research reactor that will demonstrate the viability of net energy from TAE’s approach
TAE Technologies, the world’s leading developer of clean fusion, today announced a three-year partnership with the Natural Selection Tour (NST), uniting the two organizations in a shared commitment to sustainability and conserving the natural environment. NST is a world-class, one-of-its-kind snowboarding tournament showcasing riders competing on the planet’s most exciting natural(ly enhanced) terrain.
TAE Technologies, the world’s leading developer of clean fusion, today announced a three-year partnership with the Natural Selection Tour (NST), uniting the two organizations in a shared commitment to sustainability and conserving the natural environment. NST is a world-class, one-of-its-kind snowboarding tournament showcasing riders competing on the planet’s most exciting natural(ly enhanced) terrain.