Google Invests in TAE Technologies for Fusion Power

The Ongoing Investment in Fusion Power

The path to commercially viable fusion power is widely acknowledged to be both a lengthy and expensive undertaking.

TAE Technologies recently announced a new funding round of $150 million. This investment includes contributions from current investors such as Google, Chevron, and New Enterprise Associates.

Significant Funding to Date

This latest round marks TAE Technologies’ 12th investment cycle over its nearly three decades of operation. According to PitchBook data, the company has secured approximately $1.8 billion in funding, positioning it as one of the most heavily funded entities in the fusion energy sector.

Evolution of TAE’s Reactor Design

Initially operating under the name Tri Alpha Energy, TAE Technologies spent years in private development refining its reactor technology. Early designs involved colliding two plasma spheres, then utilizing particle beams to rotate the resulting plasma mass.

This plasma formation – resembling a cylindrical shape – generates its own magnetic field. This field works in conjunction with the reactor’s magnetic systems to maintain plasma containment.

Recent Breakthroughs in Plasma Formation

In April, TAE announced a significant advancement: the elimination of the need for colliding plasma spheres. The company demonstrated the ability to form, heat, and stabilize plasma solely through the application of particle beams.

This simplification streamlines the reactor design, reducing its size, cost, and operational complexity, as stated by TAE.

Google’s Continued Involvement

Google has participated in two investment rounds in TAE, the most recent being a $250 million investment finalized in 2022. Their collaboration extends back to 2014.

Since 2014, Google’s computer scientists have partnered with TAE engineers to leverage machine learning – a branch of artificial intelligence – to optimize the settings of the fusion device.

The Impact of AI on Optimization

Prior to the implementation of AI, the optimization process required approximately two months and around 1,000 experiments, according to TAE CEO Michl Binderbauer in a 2022 interview.

AI dramatically reduced this timeframe, decreasing the number of necessary experiments by a factor of 100, allowing completion within a matter of hours.

Current Capabilities and Future Goals

TAE’s current reactor is capable of generating plasmas reaching temperatures of 70 million degrees Celsius. However, the company’s commercial device will require plasmas heated to 1 billion degrees Celsius.

Binderbauer indicated to Axios that the company intends to secure an additional $50 million before the funding round concludes later this summer. TAE anticipates delivering electricity to the grid in the early 2030s.