German Startup Wins Award for Fusion Reactor Design

Proxima Fusion's Novel Approach to Nuclear Fusion

Proxima Fusion, a German startup established two years ago, has released detailed plans for a functional fusion power plant. These plans were published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, marking a potentially significant advancement in the pursuit of sustainable energy.

The Advantages of Nuclear Fusion

Current nuclear fission reactors produce radioactive waste as a byproduct. Conversely, nuclear fusion generates substantial energy with zero carbon emissions and minimal radioactive output.

Understanding Fusion Reactor Types

Two primary types of fusion reactors are currently being developed: tokamaks and stellarators. Both utilize powerful electromagnets to confine the extremely hot fusion plasma.

• Tokamaks: These reactors employ both external magnets and an induced electrical current within the plasma. However, they are prone to instabilities.
• Stellarators: Relying solely on external magnets, stellarators theoretically offer improved stability and the potential for continuous operation.

Proxima's Stellaris Design

According to Dr. Francesco Sciortino, co-founder and CEO of Proxima Fusion, the company’s “Stellaris” design represents the first peer-reviewed fusion power plant concept demonstrating reliable and continuous operation. This addresses the instability issues commonly found in tokamaks and other fusion approaches.

Proxima chose to publish its research in Fusion Engineering and Design, embracing a commitment to open-source scientific collaboration.

A Shift from Research to Implementation

“Our international colleagues can now review our work,” stated Sciortino in an interview with TechCrunch. “We believe we can achieve this faster than any other organization, and this is due to our integrated approach to physics, engineering, and economic considerations. We’ve moved beyond the stage of being simply a science project.”

Sciortino also noted the team’s accelerated progress. “Initially, we projected a two-year timeline to finalize the Stellaris design. We completed it in just one year, representing a significant acceleration of our development schedule.”

Funding and Future Goals

Having secured $35 million in funding from the European Union and the German government, alongside $30 million in venture capital, Proxima Fusion is aiming to construct a fully functional fusion reactor by the year 2031.

Competition in the Fusion Energy Sector

Proxima Fusion faces competition from other ventures in the field, including Commonwealth Fusion Systems, which benefits from backing by Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures.

Investor Confidence

Ian Hogarth, a partner at Plural and an early investor in Proxima Fusion, commented: “From the outset, Proxima’s founders asserted the feasibility of their approach and pledged to demonstrate it. They have successfully done so. Stellaris establishes QI-HTS stellarators as a leading technology in the global effort to achieve commercial fusion power.”