Commercialization of Fusion Power Plants

Abstract

With the ITER project entering the second half of the construction phase and various national and international plans for fusion prototype power plants being in early to advanced stages, fusion has entered the delivery era. With the urgency of the climate crisis being at the forefront of government policy agendas, it is important to focus on the commercialization of fusion power plants to support decarbonization commitments. This work argues that the cost optimization of fusion as well as the development of a compelling value proposition enhances the contribution that fusion can bring to target energy markets. In particular, it focuses on how both aspects are being considered for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) program (Wilson et al., 2020) which is currently developing both the conceptual design for a prototype power plant as well as a pathway to commercialization on its mission to 'Deliver a U.K. prototype fusion energy plant, targeting 2040, and a path to commercial viability of fusion.'