SCI-FI-TEK
B.C. fusion machine in development with goal of zero-emission energyBy Darrian Matassa-Fung
Global News
Updated August 10, 2023
Updated August 10, 2023
B.C.-based company General Fusion has created a scaled-down version of the technology it plans to use to generate electricity from fusion power. It comes as more companies enter the global race to make nuclear fusion a viable source of carbon-free electricity. Aaron McArthur reports.
A company in Richmond, General Fusion, is creating a new “Magnetized Target Fusion” machine, which they say will be able to create fusion conditions of more than 100 million degrees Celsius.
“General Fusion does fusion a little bit differently than most people,” Dr. Michel Laberge said, General Fusion’s founder and chief science officer.
“Most people put this very hot gas in a donut with some big magnets. We do that but we crush it. Other people don’t crush it. When you crush something, it gets denser and it gets hotter so the fusion happens faster.”
It is expected that the machine will be ready to operate by 2025.
A company in Richmond, General Fusion, is creating a new “Magnetized Target Fusion” machine, which they say will be able to create fusion conditions of more than 100 million degrees Celsius.
“General Fusion does fusion a little bit differently than most people,” Dr. Michel Laberge said, General Fusion’s founder and chief science officer.
“Most people put this very hot gas in a donut with some big magnets. We do that but we crush it. Other people don’t crush it. When you crush something, it gets denser and it gets hotter so the fusion happens faster.”
It is expected that the machine will be ready to operate by 2025.
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The goal of the company is to fundamentally transform the world’s energy grid with zero-carbon energy.
“The only way to do this, and fight climate change, is with a practical and affordable approach to fusion energy – Magnetized Target Fusion,” said Laberge. “Every decision we make at General Fusion comes back to this commitment.”
The first fundraising effort has been completed for a combined $33.5 million, which was anchored by existing investors such as BDC Capital and GIC. It also received grants from the province through the federal Strategic Innovation Fund.
“Our government is building on our thriving knowledge and innovation-based economy to create good, sustainable jobs for all British Columbians,” said Brenda Bailey, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “B.C.’s $5-million contribution to General Fusion’s energy project will support a sustainable and resilient economy and advance fusion research in our province.”
The goal of the company is to fundamentally transform the world’s energy grid with zero-carbon energy.
“The only way to do this, and fight climate change, is with a practical and affordable approach to fusion energy – Magnetized Target Fusion,” said Laberge. “Every decision we make at General Fusion comes back to this commitment.”
The first fundraising effort has been completed for a combined $33.5 million, which was anchored by existing investors such as BDC Capital and GIC. It also received grants from the province through the federal Strategic Innovation Fund.
“Our government is building on our thriving knowledge and innovation-based economy to create good, sustainable jobs for all British Columbians,” said Brenda Bailey, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “B.C.’s $5-million contribution to General Fusion’s energy project will support a sustainable and resilient economy and advance fusion research in our province.”
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According to the company, this machine represents a significant new pillar to accelerate and remove risk from General Fusion’s demonstration program, which is designed to leverage the company’s recent technological advancements and provide electricity to the power grid with commercial fusion energy by the early to mid-2030s.
The machine, which has been named Lawson Machine 26 (LM26), uses previous technology the company has developed, including one of the world’s largest and most power operational plasma injectors.
Over the next two to three years, General Fusion said will work closely with the UK Atomic Energy Authority to validate the data gathered from LM26 and incorporate it into the design of the company’s planned commercial scale demonstration in the UK.
General Fusion says fusion energy is the ultimate clean energy solution, the power of the sun and stars.
According to the company, this machine represents a significant new pillar to accelerate and remove risk from General Fusion’s demonstration program, which is designed to leverage the company’s recent technological advancements and provide electricity to the power grid with commercial fusion energy by the early to mid-2030s.
The machine, which has been named Lawson Machine 26 (LM26), uses previous technology the company has developed, including one of the world’s largest and most power operational plasma injectors.
Over the next two to three years, General Fusion said will work closely with the UK Atomic Energy Authority to validate the data gathered from LM26 and incorporate it into the design of the company’s planned commercial scale demonstration in the UK.
General Fusion says fusion energy is the ultimate clean energy solution, the power of the sun and stars.
General Fusion machine to be built at Vancouver International Airport
Kenneth Chan
Aug 9 2023
The plasma injector has already achieved the temperature and energy confinement times required by LM26. (General Fusion)
If all goes as planned, a major hurdle in fusion-based, zero-emission clean energy innovation could be produced on Sea Island in Richmond in just three years from now.
BC-based General Fusion announced today it has plans to build a new magnetized target fusion (MTF) machine at the company’s global headquarters at 6020-6082 Russ Baker Way near the South Terminal of Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
This machine will be designed to achieve fusion conditions of over 100,000,000°C by 2025, with “scientific breakeven” conditions by 2026. This will “fast-track” the company’s technical progress.
More specifically, this further proof-of-concept will show General Fusion’s ability to “symmetrically compress magnetized plasmas in a repeatable manner and achieve fusion conditions at scale.”
General Fusion’s technology is designed to be lower cost by avoiding other approaches that require expensive superconducting magnets or high-powered lasers.
The company has also raised an additional $33.5 million in funding, with $5 million provided by the Government of British Columbia through a grant, and the remainder led by existing investors BDC Capital and GIC.
The YVR machine is intended to support further work and investment and reduce the risk of General Fusion’s commercial-scale demonstration test plan in Culham Campus of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) — located just outside of Oxford, west of London. The UK plant has effectively been delayed, with the goal now to provide electricity to the grid with commercial fusion energy by the early to mid-2030s.
“Our updated three-year Fusion Demonstration Program puts us on the best path forward to commercialize our technology by the 2030s,” said Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion, in a statement. “We’re harnessing our team’s existing strengths right here in Canada and delivering high-value, industry-leading technical milestones in the near term.”
In 2022, General Fusion relocated its global headquarters from Burnaby to a leased industrial property owned by the Vancouver Airport Authority.
Kenneth Chan
Aug 9 2023
The plasma injector has already achieved the temperature and energy confinement times required by LM26. (General Fusion)
If all goes as planned, a major hurdle in fusion-based, zero-emission clean energy innovation could be produced on Sea Island in Richmond in just three years from now.
BC-based General Fusion announced today it has plans to build a new magnetized target fusion (MTF) machine at the company’s global headquarters at 6020-6082 Russ Baker Way near the South Terminal of Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
This machine will be designed to achieve fusion conditions of over 100,000,000°C by 2025, with “scientific breakeven” conditions by 2026. This will “fast-track” the company’s technical progress.
More specifically, this further proof-of-concept will show General Fusion’s ability to “symmetrically compress magnetized plasmas in a repeatable manner and achieve fusion conditions at scale.”
General Fusion’s technology is designed to be lower cost by avoiding other approaches that require expensive superconducting magnets or high-powered lasers.
The company has also raised an additional $33.5 million in funding, with $5 million provided by the Government of British Columbia through a grant, and the remainder led by existing investors BDC Capital and GIC.
The YVR machine is intended to support further work and investment and reduce the risk of General Fusion’s commercial-scale demonstration test plan in Culham Campus of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) — located just outside of Oxford, west of London. The UK plant has effectively been delayed, with the goal now to provide electricity to the grid with commercial fusion energy by the early to mid-2030s.
“Our updated three-year Fusion Demonstration Program puts us on the best path forward to commercialize our technology by the 2030s,” said Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion, in a statement. “We’re harnessing our team’s existing strengths right here in Canada and delivering high-value, industry-leading technical milestones in the near term.”
In 2022, General Fusion relocated its global headquarters from Burnaby to a leased industrial property owned by the Vancouver Airport Authority.
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