Helion Fusion Startup Reaches Milestone Temperatures for 2028 Goal
Helion, a fusion energy startup based in Everett, Washington, recently achieved a significant milestone. The company announced that its Polaris prototype reactor reached an impressive temperature of 150 million degrees Celsius. This achievement brings them closer to their target of developing a commercial fusion power plant.
Fusion Power: Milestone Achievement
David Kirtley, Helion’s co-founder and CEO, expressed his excitement over this accomplishment, noting the reactor’s use of deuterium-tritium fuel. This combination makes Helion the first company to employ this mixture in its fusion experiments.
Key Achievements in Fusion Technology
- Temperature reached: 150 million degrees Celsius
- Fuel used: Deuterium-tritium
- Unique reactor design: Field-reversed configuration
- Future fuel plans: Deuterium-helium-3
Helion’s unique reactor design, unlike other fusion technologies, involves an hourglass-shaped chamber. This configuration allows for efficient plasma generation and merging. Once the plasmas merge, magnetic fields compress them to achieve the extreme temperatures necessary for fusion.
Commercial Plans and Market Competition
In the competitive landscape of fusion energy, multiple companies are pursuing commercialization. Helion stands out as it has secured an electricity contract with Microsoft, aiming to begin delivering power in 2028 through its larger Orion reactor, currently under development.
Other companies, like Commonwealth Fusion Systems, are targeting the early 2030s for their commercial operations. This intense competition has attracted considerable investments in the fusion sector:
- Inertia Enterprises: $450 million Series A
- Type One Energy: Raising $250 million
- Commonwealth Fusion Systems: $863 million raised
- Helion: $425 million raised in 2022
Future Goals of Helion
Helion aims to achieve even higher reactor temperatures, targeting up to 200 million degrees Celsius. Kirtley believes this range is optimal for efficient power plant operation.
While Helion focuses on electricity generation rather than merely meeting scientific benchmarks, the company is concurrently refining its fuel cycle. Helion intends to incorporate helium-3, which they will produce through deuterium fusion, to enhance their energy output.
According to Kirtley, the production of helium-3 has shown promising results, indicating high efficiency and purity levels. He anticipates that other companies may eventually adopt helium-3 as part of their fuel strategies due to the advantages it offers.
Conclusion
As Helion continues to advance its fusion technology, the startup is focused on not just achieving milestones but also building scalable power plants. Their strategic direction positions them as a key player in the quest for clean, limitless energy through fusion.
