"Fusion Energy Strategy 2024" is a report released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) concerning the strategy for fusion energy in 2024. The report indicates that fusion energy, as a safe, abundant, zero-carbon emission clean energy source, has seen significant progress over the past decade. This progress is due to continuous investment from both the U.S. government and private companies, along with advancements in high-temperature superconductors, advanced materials, and artificial intelligence technologies. More than $6 billion in investment has poured into the fusion energy sector, involving companies from Canada, the UK, Japan, the EU, China, and other countries. Research and development in fusion energy have become a global race, with a strong upward trend in investment in this field.
Recognizing these changes, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the DOE co-hosted the first-ever White House Fusion Summit in 2022. At this summit, they proposed the "Bold Decadal Vision" to accelerate the feasibility of commercial fusion energy, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the government public sector and private fusion companies. The goal is to accelerate the development of fusion energy in the United States through public-private partnerships, solidifying America's leadership in future energy sectors.
In this 2024 Fusion Energy Strategy report, the DOE emphasized that it would support the implementation of the U.S. "Bold Decadal Vision" through three major strategies: closing the scientific and technological gaps to a commercially relevant fusion pilot plant; paving the way for sustainable and equitable commercial fusion deployment; and building and leveraging external partnerships to advance fusion energy development.
DOE has released the agency-wide DOE Fusion Energy Strategy 2024 and a new Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) vision entitled "Building Bridges." These documents are closely coordinated and will guide future DOE investments in fusion energy research, development, and demonstration. As part of the "Building Bridges" vision, FES will develop a national fusion S&T roadmap to address the "how" and "when" of closing critical S&T gaps to commercially relevant fusion pilot plants.
To this end, the DOE also announced $180 million in funding for the Fusion Innovative Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives. These Collaboratives aim to link the foundational and enabling science research of the FES program with the needs of the evolving fusion industry, becoming dynamic hubs of innovation. They will help strengthen U.S. manufacturing and supply chains in collaboration with public and private fusion companies, driving advancements in fusion energy research.
The department also announced the signing of agreements with the eight selectees of the Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program. This program is designed to catalyze further private investments into fusion commercialization and help companies address scientific, technological, and commercialization challenges on the path to achieving fusion energy.
The DOE issued a Request for Information (RFI) on a proposed Fusion Energy Public-Private Consortium Framework (PPCF). The PPCF aims to complement the Milestone Program and FIRE Collaboratives by bringing together local government, the private sector, philanthropic funding, and new partnerships to accelerate fusion commercialization. The framework could potentially deliver and operate small-to-medium scale R&D test stands with the necessary pace and funding to meet the timelines of the Bold Decadal Vision.
The report also addresses other issues related to fusion energy strategy, including isotope fuel supply, non-proliferation frameworks, societal awareness, workforce development, waste management, and environmental and safety concerns. The DOE plans to tackle these issues through collaboration with industry, international partners, and communities.
This report highlights the strategic planning of the U.S. in advancing fusion energy R&D and commercialization. With continuous technological progress and financial investments, fusion energy is expected to become a vital component of the future energy landscape, providing a sustainable solution to global energy demands.
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https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-new-decadal-fusion-energy-strategy
