Latest news with #InfinityOne
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Knoxville nuclear company papers show 'no scientific barriers' to fusion power plant
Type One Energy, a Knoxville-based company with a mission to build the world's first commercial nuclear fusion power plant, has published a collection of papers it says leave "no scientific barriers" in its path to bringing the power of the sun to Earth. The six peer-reviewed scholarly papers and an editorial were published in a special issue of the Journal of Plasma Physics, the company announced March 27. The articles describe the science behind Type One Energy's fusion power plant design, part of a class of technologies called stellarators, which use powerful magnetic fields to contain plasma heated to around 100 million degrees Celsius, or around 180 million degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike traditional nuclear power plants that split isotopes of uranium apart to create heat, fusion reactions crush isotopes of hydrogen together at extreme temperatures to create heat. Scientists have worked to develop nuclear fusion power plants since the 1950s, but rapid advancements in supercomputing have sped up stellarator breakthroughs. Type One Energy must overcome engineering challenges to achieve its goal of supplying clean energy through fusion, but it has solved the basic physics problems of the design by running more than 70,000 simulations on supercomputers like Frontier at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 'We don't need a scientific breakthrough to figure out how the heck we're going to do this,' John Canik, chief science and engineering officer at Type One Energy, told Knox News. 'There's no fundamental technical unknown that we need to figure out." Type One Energy, founded in 2019 by energy business leaders and some of the world's leading fusion experts, has not yet built a stellarator under the company name. It plans to begin constructing a prototype called Infinity One at the Tennessee Valley Authority's closed Bull Run coal plant in 2026. But its scientists have built and run experimental stellarators around the world, including the world's largest and most powerful stellarator, the Wendelstein 7-X in Germany. For Type One Energy's experts, nuclear fusion isn't science fiction. 'We reach these temperatures pretty routinely in existing fusion facilities,' Canik said. Type One Energy signed an agreement with TVA in February to develop a pilot fusion power plant called Infinity Two, which the federal utility may one day operate. The company has not selected a location for its first power plant. 'Why are we the first private fusion company with an agreement to develop a potential fusion power plant project for an energy utility? Because we have a design anchored in reality,' Type One Energy CEO Christofer Mowry said in a release. "We have an organization that understands this isn't about designing a science project.' The company finalized an $82.4 million fundraising round last year which included investment from Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures. It is preparing to raise $200 million this year to fund development of its technology, Axios reported. Type One Energy established its headquarters in Hardin Valley last year to be near ORNL and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. It became the first recipient of Gov. Bill Lee's nuclear fund, benefitting from Tennessee's effort to become the national hub of new nuclear technologies. The company plans to begin building its prototype in the turbine hall of the Bull Run plant next year, and to complete it by early 2029 to prove key functions of the machine. It announced the symbolic transition for the closed coal plant last year alongside a $223 million investment that would create around 300 high-paying jobs. Type One Energy now has close to 160 employees, and around 60 people are based out of its headquarters at 2410 Cherahala Blvd. Stellarators are just one fusion technology among many, though Canik and his colleagues believe their design has the best shot at commercial success. The other main design that uses magnetic confinement is called a tokamak, made famous by ITER, a giant multinational science project based in France. Other technologies use lasers to ignite a fusion reaction by rapidly heating a small pellet of fuel. 'The stellarator has the advantage that you can predict its performance pretty accurately with modern supercomputers and the most advanced physics codes we have,' Canik said. 'As it turns out, that performance is basically determined by the shape of the plasma.' The stellarator is a complex system shaped like a twisted doughnut. At its extreme internal temperatures, matter only exists as plasma – there are no solids, liquids or gases. One of the central challenges of nuclear fusion is containing the hot, diffuse plasma. 'People have likened it to holding Jello with rubber bands,' Canik said. 'Plasmas are very squirrely.' The Type One Energy design keeps the plasma's heat from escaping using precisely shaped coils of copper magnets that form powerful magnetic fields. It uses helium to chill the magnets to extremely low temperatures to achieve a state called superconductivity, a similar technology used in medical MRI machines. The magnets will operate at around four Kelvin, or minus 450 degrees Fahrenheit. 'Fusion is interesting because you have one of the hottest places in the universe right next to one of the coldest places,' Canik said. The main fuels for the machine are deuterium, an isotope of helium abundant in seawater, and lithium. Fusion scientists say there is enough deuterium in a bathtub of seawater and enough lithium in two laptop batteries to create all the electricity a person needs in a lifetime through nuclear fusion. A meter-thick metal "blanket" surrounds the plasma to absorb heat, produce tritium through a breeder reaction and protect the rest of the system. Helium flows through the metal wall to carry heat to the electrical side of the plant, which functions much like a traditional nuclear plant. If Type One Energy succeeds in building a fusion power plant that produces electricity, its "ash" waste product would be helium, too. And its mind-bogglingly hot and cold insides would be so contained, Canik said, that you could walk up and touch the machine's outer shell and it would feel room temperature. Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy. Email: Signal: @danieldassow.24. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville's Type One Energy details nuclear fusion plant in new papers
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘A design anchored in reality' Knoxville company one step closer to creating fusion power plant
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As Knoxville-based Type One Energy makes plans to build a prototype fusion power plant at the Bull Run Fossil Plant, seven peer-reviewed scientific papers published in the Journal of Plasma Physics (JPP) show no significant scientific barriers remain in achieving fusion energy using its stellarator technology. Type One Energy's first Infinity Two stellarator fusion power plant project is being developed with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Project Infinity initially focused on creating a prototype of Type One's stellarator fusion machine called Infinity One. Now, it includes the broader goal of commercializing fusion energy. Previously, the company said Infinity Two could start adding power to the grid by the mid-2030s. Lawyer breaks down wrongful death lawsuit filed by Riley Strain's family 'Why are we the first private fusion company with an agreement to develop a potential fusion power plant project for an energy utility? Because we have a design anchored in reality,' said Christofer Mowry, CEO of Type One Energy. 'The physics basis for Infinity Two is grounded in the knowledge of what is required for application to, and performance in, the demanding environment of reliable electrical generation for the power grid. We have an organization that understands this isn't about designing a science project.' A broad coalition of scientists from national laboratories and universities around the world worked with Type One Energy to develop the research. The work published includes six research papers and an editorial. While the papers do not represent a full power plant design, they establish a strong physics foundation for Infinity Two and show stellarators can be used for commercial fusion power. A stellarator is a machine that uses magnetic fields to confine plasma in the shape of a donut, enabling scientists to control the plasma and create suitable conditions for fusion. The basis considers the requirements needed for fusion energy to be possible, from plasma performance, power plant startup, construction logistics, reliability to economics utilizing actual power plant operating experience. The papers also validate key technical components of the Infinity Two Power Plant design, including their breeder blanket and divertor design and tritium fuel cycle. Police investigating Knoxville auto shop that customers say held cars for months or years The research was based on over 70,000 optimization simulations, which Type One Energy says is the most extensive stellarator design study of its kind. Several high-performance computing facilities, including the exascale Frontier machine at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), were used to perform the simulations. Type One Energy added that their work builds on proven stellarator fusion technology, i.e., the Wendelstein 7-X in Germany. 'Fusion science and technology are experiencing a period of very rapid development, driven by both public and private enthusiasm for fusion power. In this environment of creative and entrepreneurial ferment, it is crucial that new ideas and designs are both publicly shared and thoroughly scrutinised by the scientific community — Type One Energy and JPP are setting the gold standard for how this is done,' said Alex Schekochihin, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Oxford and Editor of the JPP. 'We committed to this ambitious fusion commercialization milestone two years ago and today we delivered,' said John Canik, Chief Science and Engineering Officer for Type One Energy. 'The team was able to efficiently develop deep plasma physics insights to inform the design of our Infinity Two stellarator, by taking advantage of our access to high performance computing resources. This enabled the Type One Energy team to demonstrate a realistic, integrated stellarator design that moves far beyond conventional thinking and concepts derived from more limited modeling capabilities.' TVA considers adding power lines in Sevier County to support growth Infinity One will be built inside the Bull Run Fossil Plant in Clinton. The plant was retired in December 2023 as part of the TVA's pledge to reduce its reliance on coal and focus more on clean energy. Construction is set to begin in 2026, and it is expected to be completed by 2028. Type One Energy added that while no decision has been made for the exact site of Infinity Two, TVA is exploring a pathway to owning and operating Infinity Two. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bull Run Fossil Plant site to house fusion power plant project
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is teaming up with Type One Energy to develop plans for a fusion power plant at the Bull Run Fossil Plant in Claxton. The fusion pilot power plant, named Infinity Two, could start adding power to the grid by the mid-2030s. A release from Type One explains it has the 'potential to repurpose retired TVA fossil fuel power plant infrastructure.' North Carolina woman getting new home after property flooded during Helene The new Cooperative Agreement builds on Project Infinity, which began in early 2024. The project initially focused on creating a prototype of Type One's stellarator fusion machine called Infinity One. Now, it includes the broader goal of commercializing fusion energy. The partnership will work on on-site studies, environmental reviews, licensing, project plans, and financing, using TVA's expertise to safely develop fusion power. 'Unleashing America's energy potential will take all forms of generation including fusion,' said Joe Hoagland, TVA vice president of Innovation and Research. 'Energy security is national security, and we are focused on developing a technology, supply chain, and delivery model to build an industry that can power America and the world.' Contract reveals how much Knox County Sheriff's Office is paid to hold ICE detainees 'We are fortunate indeed to work together with an energy company like TVA,' said Type One Energy CEO Christofer Mowry. 'TVA brings us best-in-class power plant operations, maintenance, engineering, licensing, and even project planning and construction capabilities, all skills critical to success that we now don't need to try and recreate. Instead, we can focus on completing the design of Infinity Two and testing it with the Infinity One prototype in TVA's Bull Run plant. The ability for us to focus on developing and delivering the core stellarator technology materially derisks our path to fusion power plant commercialization.' Type One Energy was the first recipient of funding through the $50 million Nuclear Energy Fund. Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank noted that the fund has helped attract companies like Type One Fusion to East Tennessee. Oak Ridge pauses airport project after new uranium enrichment facility announced 'That was one of the very first expenditures from that nuclear fund. So the governor set that up and immediately capitalized on that. other investments have been Orano, which is a record-setting investment in the state of Tennessee of $5 billion for the construction of a uranium enrichment facility. So a lot is happening out of that in addition to investments and education. Whether it's UT or Tennessee Tech, there's just a lot going on there,' said Frank. The Bull Run Fossil Plant was retired by the TVA in December 2023 after 56 years in service. Its retirement was a part of TVA's pledge to reduce its reliance on coal and focus more on clean energy Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TVA, Type One Energy Ink Deal to Develop Commercial Fusion Power Plant
The pursuit of energy from fusion technology has taken another step forward, with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) entering into a cooperative agreement with Type One Energy to jointly develop a fusion power plant project in TVA's territory. The companies announced plans to collaborate on a 350-MWe Infinity Two power plant that use Type One's stellarator fusion technology. The groups on Feb. 10 said the project could offer baseload power generation by the project could support planned retirements of TVA power plants that burn coal and natural gas, potentially repurposing those sites. The technology also could be deployed at new locations. The agreement expands on Project Infinity, which was launched by Type One Energy, TVA, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in early 2024. The original project centered on deploying Type One's Infinity One stellarator prototype in TVA's decommissioned 865-MW coal-fired Bull Run power plant. The companies on Monday said Project Infinity "now encompasses a deeper, broader engagement toward commercialization of fusion energy." Bull Run was shut down in December 2023. [caption id="attachment_215622" align="alignnone" width="640"] This is a rendering of Type One Energy's fusion stellarator. Source: Type One Energy[/caption] TVA and Type One Energy will jointly work on Infinity Two fusion power plant siting studies, environmental reviews, and licensing, as well as development of project plans and financing from various sources. Type One Energy will support TVA in its evaluation and review of the project. "Unleashing America's energy potential will take all forms of generation including fusion," said Joe Hoagland, TVA vice president Innovation and Research. "Energy security is national security, and we are focused on developing a technology, supply chain, and delivery model to build an industry that can power America and the world." Type One Energy was founded in 2019. The company opened an office in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in 2023. The company's technology is touted as a stellarator fusion reactor, which is a different design than a tokamak fusion reactor. Examples of tokamak reactors include the Joint European Torus in the UK, and the ITER project under construction in France. A tokamak is based on a uniform toroid shape. A stellarator twists that shape in a figure-8 design. The companies said the scope of the latest agreement aligns with a separate arrangement between the parties to access the capabilities of TVA's Power Service Shops (PSS) in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The PSS relationship enables Type One Energy to continue shaping its supply chain for stellarator fusion power plants, and the PSS will support modular manufacturing and assembly of Infinity Two. The groups emphasized that the arrangement enables TVA "to benefit from the subsequent scaling of fusion energy on a global basis, following the successful deployment of Infinity Two." Project Infinity also includes plans for workforce development, which includes assembling a team to build, operate, and maintain fusion stellarators. "We are fortunate indeed to work together with an energy company like TVA," said Christofer Mowry, Type One Energy's CEO. "TVA brings us best-in-class power plant operations, maintenance, engineering, licensing, and even project planning and construction capabilities, all skills critical to success that we now don't need to try and recreate. Instead, we can focus on completing the design of Infinity Two and testing it with the Infinity One prototype in TVA's Bull Run plant. The ability for us to focus on developing and delivering the core stellarator technology materially derisks our path to fusion power plant commercialization." —Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.
