Bringing Star Power Down to Earth

Stellarators are one of the top performing fusion concepts in the race to reach net positive energy.

After many decades of research, the performance of stellarators has been shown to scale very predictably given its simplicity of operation and proven plasma stability at these high ion and electron energy levels. This reduces the risk of unforeseen physics complications needed for commercial operation.

High-Performance Computing Optimizes Our Designs

Because confinement of the plasma in a stellarator is driven solely by the external magnets, modifying the shape and strength of the fields has a major impact on performance. To tailor a three-dimensional magnetic field with the right shape to achieve quasi-symmetry requires extensive calculations. Advances in computer modeling code an high performance computing has provided this ability.

Going Grid Scale

Type One Energy is now executing its FusionDirect technology program, which is a partner-rich, capital-efficient path to commercialization. The program builds upon the exceptional network of fusion partners. Co-founders of the Type One team proved the benefits of stellarators with their construction of the HSX and W7-X machines. These operating stellarators demonstrate excellent agreement between theory and real-world design.

With scientific validations complete, the pilot plant can proceed to achieve stellarator fuel ignition conditions (Q = infinity) and put fusion electrons on the grid.

The stellarator’s twisted magnetic fields keep fuel particles from drifting away from where they fuse.

Simple & Stable

Driven only by external magnetic fields
(No disruptions)

Steady State

Continuous operation
(No pulsing)

High Energy Gain

No operational plasma heating input

No Miracles Needed

The stellarator’s twisted magnetic fields keep fuel particles from drifting away from where they fuse. This design provides numerous benefits:

  • Fusion confinement without massive circulating currents
  • Excellent efficiency with no parasitic recirculating power
  • Easy to operate in steady-state conditions that avoids the high maintenance, mechanical and thermal stresses of pulsed fusion designs
  • No technical showstoppers to fusion power plant

Because confinement of the plasma in a stellarator is driven solely by the external magnets, modifying the shape and strength of their fields has a major impact on performance. To tailor a three-dimensional magnetic field with the right shape to achieve quasi-symmetry requires extensive calculations. Advances in computer modeling code and high-performance computing has provided this ability.