Russia's Kurchatov Institute to Receive 5.7 Billion Rubles in Fiscal Budget Support: Focusing on Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion and Advanced Plasma Technology R&D

The National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute" will receive approximately 5.7 billion Rubles in dedicated funding support from the Russian federal budget during the period from 2027 to 2029. This fiscal allocation will be specifically used to advance key technology breakthroughs in Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion, as well as the R&D and experimental validation of innovative Plasma Technologies. The above funding plan is explicitly stated in the draft explanatory document of the 2027–2029 federal budget bill published in the electronic database of the Russian State Duma...

2026-10-03

ITER Tritium Plant Completes Final Design, Fully Transitions to Equipment Manufacturing, Installation, and Commissioning

At the Saint-Paul-lès-Durance site in France, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Organization officially convened the Third Tritium Plant Summit. More than 70 core experts from the ITER Organization, Fusion for Energy (F4E), Japan's Domestic Agency (QST), Korea's Domestic Agency (KFE), and the US Domestic Agency (US ITER), as well as global engineering contractors and equipment manufacturers, gathered together. This summit released a decisive...

2026-09-28

First Light Fusion's Low-Cost Fusion Compression Technology Achieves Experimental Validation, Driving Source Cost Expected to Drop by an Order of Magnitude

UK commercial fusion innovator First Light Fusion has announced that its independently developed pulse power facility M3 (M3 pulse power facility) has successfully completed a series of proof-of-principle experiments, formally validating the core fuel compression physics mechanism of its proprietary fusion pathway FLARE (Fusion via Low-power Assembly and Rapid Excitation). The experiments confirmed that, relying on a precisely designed Multi-layered liner, fusion fuel can be effectively compressed to a high-density state using a driver with a more streamlined configuration and lower peak power. The core design logic of the FLARE technology pathway...

2026-09-24

Israel's nT-TaO Signs Memorandum of Understanding with US-based Orion to Explore Deployment of Compact Fusion Systems for Data Center Power Supply

Israeli fusion company nT-TaO and US nuclear energy development company Orion Nuclear Energy Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on September 21, 2026, to explore the deployment of nT-TaO's Compact Fusion systems at data centers and industrial facilities in the United States. The move is seen as a collaborative step forward in the commercialization of fusion technology. According to the memorandum, the cooperation will center on the commercialization of nT-TaO's compact fusion system, with key focuses including: identifying potential customers, evaluating site selection, and developing specific commercial projects. The system is designed to provide up to 20 ...

2026-09-22

Nuclear energy startup Hylenr completes Phase 1 testing of lattice confinement fusion reactor validation study

Hylenr Inc., a nuclear energy startup based in Michigan, USA, recently completed Phase 1 testing of an independent validation study of its Lattice Confinement Fusion (LCF) reactor at Texas A&M University. Experimental results showed anomalous signals in areas including heat, gas, and materials, and Hylenr stated that the data indicate the technology warrants further in-depth investigation. Basic test information: In a strictly controlled laboratory environment, researchers conducted tests on Hylenr's BRT-NiUCS-2 reactor and multiple hydrogen-absorbing nickel-palladium catalyst samples, focusing on monitoring post-test heat, radiation, residual gases, and...

2026-09-22

US and UK Join Forces to Accelerate Commercialization of Fusion Energy

At the Global Fusion Policy Summit held in London on Monday, the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), which operates under the US Department of Energy, signed a joint statement of intent. The two sides plan to establish a partnership called the SUNRISE–STELLAR-AI Federation, integrating the UK's first supercomputer dedicated to fusion research, SUNRISE (funded by the UK government with £45 million), with PPPL's STELLAR-AI supercomputing platform (costing $13 million), to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate fusion energy R&D. The collaboration builds on a memorandum of understanding signed by both parties in June this year and will utilize the UKAEA...

2026-09-16

US Fusion Company Commonwealth Fusion Systems Secures $1 Billion Investment from South Korea's Hyundai

Recently, the US nuclear fusion company Commonwealth Fusion Systems, backed by Bill Gates, has secured a $1 billion investment from South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group to build its commercial fusion power plant. Chung Ho-eun, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group, stated that the plan will enable both parties to explore engineering collaboration on a commercial fusion power plant project called ARC. Fusion energy is expected to play an important role in meeting growing global energy demand while supporting a more sustainable future. As of June this year, this hardware solution has received formal academic confirmation of its physical feasibility. Following a peer-reviewed study, CFS validated the ARC des...

2026-09-14

Lower Saxony, Germany Plans to Build Europe's First Large-Scale Fusion-Grade High-Temperature Superconducting Tape Plant

Proxima Fusion and the Lower Saxony state government of Germany signed a memorandum of understanding in Hanover on September 9, planning to build Europe's first large-scale fusion-grade high-temperature superconducting tape production facility in the state, laying the foundation for large-scale industrial production of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape. According to the plan, the first two phases of the project involve an investment of approximately 140 million euros, with public funds and private capital each covering about half. Of this, Lower Saxony plans to contribute 21 million euros, accounting for nearly 30% of the public funding portion. The first two phases of construction are expected to be completed by the end of 2029. High-temperature superconducting tape is a type of metal tape that exhibits superconducting properties at relatively higher temperatures. In the superconducting state, it can transmit current with nearly zero resistive loss and is used to manufacture high-power, compact electromagnets. For stellarator fusion devices, magnets made from high-temperature superconducting tape can generate the magnetic fields needed to confine and control high-temperature plasma, making them an important foundational material for achieving compact fusion devices and future fusion power plants.

2026-09-12

UK Tokamak Energy completes testing of Demo4 fusion high-temperature superconducting magnet system

On September 9, 2026, Tokamak Energy of the UK announced the completion of a 14-month testing campaign for its Demo4 fusion magnet system, validating the company's capabilities in the design, manufacture, integration, and operation of complete high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet systems. The technical experience gained from Demo4 testing is now being applied to the collaboration between Tokamak Energy and UK Fusion Energy (UKFE), supporting the development of HTS magnet systems for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) fusion program. The results also target HTS commercial applications beyond fusion, and...

2026-09-09

Two South Korean companies to collaborate on expanding fusion energy projects

KEPCO Engineering & Construction (KEPCO E&C) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Enable Fusion on September 7 at the Daejeon Science Center to establish a cooperation framework for participation in fusion energy projects, technology sharing, and joint business development. Kim Tae-kyun, President of KEPCO E&C, and Lee Kyung-soo, CEO of Enable Fusion, attended the signing ceremony. Under the MOU, the two parties will provide each other with technical and commercial information required for participation in the construction of fusion power facilities and jointly develop fusion energy projects both domestically and overseas. KEPCO E&C plans to...

2026-09-08

Japan Selects Four Companies for Fusion Power Program

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has conditionally selected EX-Fusion, Helical Fusion, Linea Innovation, and Starlight Engine to participate in a fusion program targeting reactor operation in the 2030s. The program will provide approximately $370 million, equivalent to around €318 million, in subsidies to selected projects by the end of February 2029. Specific funding allocations are still subject to formal grant decisions. The support corresponds to commitments in Japan's 2023 fusion strategy, which sets out the goal of achieving fusion power in the 2030s...

2026-09-07

South Korea Develops 3D Non-Contact Inspection System for High-Temperature Superconducting Wire

The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) recently announced that a research team led by Ha Hong-su and Park In-sung at its Low-Temperature Device Research Center has developed a three-dimensional non-contact ultra-precision inspection system capable of continuously measuring the thickness and width of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. The institute stated that this is the world's first such inspection system for HTS wire. KERI researchers Ha Hong-su and Park In-sung pose with a high-temperature superconducting wire beside the 3D non-contact ultra-precision inspection system. [Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute] HTS wire exhibits near-zero electrical resistance below a specific temperature, enabling high-current, low-loss transmission,...

2026-09-07

Germany's BEST and Luvata Partner to Expand Supply of RRP Superconductors for Fusion

Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies (BEST) of Germany and Luvata Materials & Solutions, part of the Luvata Group, have announced a strategic partnership to expand the industrial supply capacity of high-performance RRP® superconductors for next-generation magnetic confinement fusion power demonstration projects worldwide. According to information released by the two companies, the collaboration will focus on enhancing the industrial readiness and availability of RRP superconductors, expanding manufacturing capabilities, and strengthening supply chain resilience to meet the large-scale demand for superconducting materials in high-field magnetic confinement fusion projects...

2026-09-05

India's Private Fusion Tokamak PRAGYA Achieves Plasma Operation

Bengaluru-based deep-tech energy startup Pranos Fusion has produced plasma in its experimental device PRAGYA. The company states that PRAGYA is India's first compact tokamak developed by a private enterprise, marking a transition in India's private fusion research and development from the design and manufacturing phase to experimental operation. PRAGYA adopts a compact, low-aspect-ratio tokamak design, primarily used to generate, confine, and control plasma. Tokamaks use strong magnetic fields to confine high-temperature plasma within a toroidal vacuum vessel, creating conditions for future fusion of light atomic nuclei. The fundamental process of fusion reactions is the same mechanism by which the Sun releases energy, but engineering implementation still faces multiple challenges in plasma confinement, magnets, materials, and control systems.

2026-09-04

US Realta Fusion and MGE Plan to Jointly Develop 200 MW Fusion Power Plant

Realta Fusion, a company developing magnetic mirror fusion energy technology, announced on September 2 that it has established a strategic partnership with Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) and its parent company MGE Energy, Inc. The two parties will jointly evaluate the feasibility of co-developing a 200 MW electric-class fusion energy power plant in Wisconsin, USA. Under the collaboration arrangement, the first phase includes a direct equity investment by MGE Energy in Realta Fusion. MGE has also agreed to provide equipment, engineering, and technical support to Realta Fusion, as well as assistance in project siting, permitting, grid interconnection, and financing to advance preliminary work for the proposed 200 MW fusion power project.

2026-09-03

South Korea Plans to Increase R&D Investment in Nuclear Fusion and Small Modular Reactors

South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) stated on September 1 that in the 2027 government budget proposal approved at a Cabinet meeting, the ministry's budget amounts to 29.6476 trillion Korean won, an increase of 24.5% compared to this year's supplementary budget. Of this, the R&D budget is planned to increase from 11.9 trillion won this year to 14.1 trillion won, accounting for 36% of the South Korean government's total R&D budget. In the science and technology sector, MSIT plans to invest 12.377 trillion won in R&D related to next-generation artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. In explaining the budget proposal, the ministry's First Vice Minister stated that in response to the growing electricity demand driven by AI development, South Korea will accelerate the development of future clean energy sources such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and nuclear fusion...

2026-09-02

Japan's Helical Fusion Technology Selected as Candidate for METI's Fusion Demonstration Program

Helical Fusion Co., Ltd. has recently been selected as a final candidate for the fusion power demonstration project support program by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The program aims to align with Japan's national fusion strategy, advancing fusion energy into the demonstration phase by the 2030s and building the technical foundation for subsequent commercialization. The left image shows Helix HARUKA, Helical Fusion's integrated demonstration device; the right image shows Helix KANATA, Helical Fusion's fusion test plant. Under the current arrangement, the program will provide approximately 60 billion yen in government funding over three years through 2028, supporting private-sector R&D across multiple fusion technology...

2026-09-01

U.S. University Establishes Fusion Energy Seed Fund to Support Four Interdisciplinary Research Projects

The Institute for Fusion Studies at The University of Texas at Austin recently launched a fusion energy seed fund to support four interdisciplinary research projects. These projects will bring together teams from plasma physics, engineering, and computational science to address challenges in control, materials, particle confinement, and edge plasma simulation faced by fusion devices such as tokamaks. The fund is supported by the Institute for Fusion Studies (IFS), the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering ...

2026-09-01

Tennessee Issues First-Ever Commercial Fusion-Specific Permit in the U.S. to Type One Energy

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has issued Type One Energy the state's first permit specifically for a fusion energy facility, allowing the company to advance fusion-related projects at the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Bull Run Energy Complex in Clinton. Tennessee officials stated this is the first permit of its kind in the United States issued under a new state-level fusion regulatory framework. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, alongside fusion energy partners, presented the first U.S. permit specifically for a commercial fusion facility on Monday at the Organization of American States (OAS) annual meeting in Nashville. (LR) TVA Interim...

2026-09-01

Korea's Eugene MS Wins KRW 11.4 Billion Order for ITER Core Components

Korea's Eugene MS announced on August 31 that it has signed a contract with the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) to produce and supply the second batch of vacuum vessel port sealing flanges for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The contract is valued at approximately KRW 11.4 billion, equivalent to about 44% of Eugene MS's 2025 revenue of KRW 25.9 billion. The contract period runs through December 2030. Under the arrangement, the sealing flanges will be delivered to the ITER Organization in three batches, with final inspection and related procedures scheduled for completion by June 30, 2031. The ITER vacuum vessel port sealing flanges consist of large fasteners and other components...

2026-08-31

UK JET Decommissioning Project to Trial Asset-Based Decommissioning Approach

The JET Decommissioning and Repurposing (JDR) project recently announced that it will trial an asset-based decommissioning approach in three areas of the JET facility during the next phase of work. These areas were once part of the power supply infrastructure during JET plasma operations. This trial work will support the overall development of the Culham Campus and, in conjunction with the Strategic Investment and Development for Energy and AI (STRIDE) programme, facilitate land remediation to create conditions for the installation of a fourth supergrid transformer. JDR has signed a contract with Ramco UK to undertake the relevant trial work. JDR Engineering Integration Manager Steve...

2026-08-28