3 Insights from Seattle Fusion Week
By Chris Ajemian, Consultant in fusion energy commercialisation.
2024 Seattle Fusion Week took place in Seattle and Everett on 21st - 23rd October, bringing together fusion energy companies, elected officials, research institutions, NGOs and more for educational presentations and networking.
Here are three insights from a fusion hub workshop that was held on the final day:
1. The private sector is leading fusion commercialisation in the USA
A first of its kind fusion energy commercialisation regional hub workshop was held at Seattle Fusion Week to consider the possible benefits of a public/private federal/state regional hub approach to commercialisation of fusion energy.
The three areas of discussion were:
· Pre-IP private sector technology collaboration
· Workforce development
· Community benefit and planning
· (Regional regulation and permitting was also raised)
This shows that commercialisation is being led in the US by the private sector and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. In several years, the traditional role of the federal government in US fusion energy will likely change and expand.
2. Cooperation in areas of mutual need could be advantageous for private fusion companies
Eleven fusion companies from four western US states (WA, CA, CO, & NV) participated: Marvel Fusion, Xcimer, Longview, Blue Laser Fusion, Kyoto Fusioneering, General Atomics, Tokamak Energy, Avalanche Energy, Pacific Fusion, Fuse and Zap.
So many fusion companies considering the regional hub as a tool for commercialisation could mean that the US private sector can identify and cooperate in areas of mutual need and where direct competition is not necessary.
3. States will also see benefits to acting collectively when it comes to developing the fusion energy commercialisation ecosystem
The workshop was funded by DOE Fusion Energy Sciences director J.P. Allain as part of the RFI process of his Public Private Consortium Framework (PPCF) for fusion energy commercialisation. Sponsors and organisers were the Deptartment of Energy, CleanTech Alliance, Colorado State University, University of Nevada, UC San Diego, Washington State University, Battelle, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, MCM Consultants and Ajemian Consulting.
This means that four US western states have identified the necessary elements of the US fusion energy commercialisation ecosystem and see benefits to acting collectively on common goals.