Fusion energy releases no greenhouse gasses, and a power plant could be built anywhere. The main fuel source, hydrogen, is readily found in
What is the potential role and value of fusion power plants (FPPs) in such a future electric power system—a system that is not only free of carbon emissions but also capable of meeting the dramatically increased global electricity demand expected in the coming decades? The value of having FPPs available on an electric grid will depend on what other options are available, so to perform their analyses, the researchers needed estimates of the future cost and performance of those options, including conventional fossil fuel generators, nuclear fission power plants, VRE generators, and energy storage technologies, as well as electricity demand for specific regions of the world. And for companies developing fusion technologies, the study’s message is clearly stated in the report: “If the cost and performance targets identified in this report can be achieved, our analysis shows that fusion energy can play a major role in meeting future electricity needs and achieving global net-zero carbon goals.”.
# Releasing the potential of fusion energy. In a world striving to combat climate change, meet increasing energy demand, and secure a sustainable energy future, fusion energy emerges as a promising solution. To address these remaining challenges, Clean Air Task Force has expanded its team to assess and support global development and commercialization efforts for fusion technologies in two fundamental ways:. Realizing the potential of fusion energy requires collaborative efforts between governments, research institutions, and private entities. Fusion energy holds unparalleled potential to reshape our energy landscape, securing clean firm power will reducing emissions to combat climate change. As research and development efforts advance, fusion power plants inch closer to becoming a reality, offering a clean and sustainable energy source. * ## Clean Air Task Force releases updated global fusion map tracking rapid growth in fusion energy development. Clean Air Task Force has released an updated version of its Global Fusion Map, a public resource that tracks the rapidly expanding international fusion energy landscape.
Research insights, tools, and resources to help you design better studies and collect higher quality data. Today, I want to explore another technological breakthrough making significant progress almost daily, yet receiving less mainstream attention: nuclear fusion power. Unlike current nuclear fission plants (which split atoms), fusion reactors combine atoms—specifically hydrogen isotopes—to create larger atoms like helium, generating extraordinary amounts of energy in the process. 2. **Nearly Free Energy After Initial Investment**: Once built, fusion reactors will produce energy at a cost approaching zero, requiring minimal fuel inputs compared to their enormous energy output. 3. **Decentralized Power Generation**: Fusion enables local reactors near points of use, eliminating costly infrastructure for energy transmission and allowing remote areas to maintain energy independence. Fusion offers a sustainable solution to this emerging energy challenge. **Preparing for the Post-Oil, Fusion-Powered Future**. Fusion power offers a solution to our planet’s energy challenges and could help mitigate climate change while providing abundant, low-cost energy for AI and other advanced technologies.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has been investing in fusion research for decades. U.S. government support for fusion energy research and development began in the 1950s at the Atomic Energy Commission, the predecessor to DOE. DOE’s **National Nuclear Security Administration** supports the Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) program to advance its Stockpile Stewardship mission. Commercial fusion energy has the potential to revolutionize the energy industry, help achieve energy abundance and security, and help meet the growing clean energy needs of the United States and the world. The DOE fusion energy program helps researchers coordinate across the many fundamental scientific and technical disciplines that are involved with fusion, including plasma physics, materials science and engineering, and advanced scientific computing. (Many tokamaks currently exist, including DOE Office of Science user facilities like the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, but ITER will be the largest one.) DOE is a major supporter of ITER.
**CLICK HERE** to register for the 3rd Public-Private Fusion Workshop at ITER (28-29 April 2026). # Advantages of fusion. **Millions of years**: Fusion in ITER will require two elements: deuterium and tritium. (Terrestrial reserves of lithium would permit the operation of fusion power plants for more than 1,000 years, while sea-based reserves of lithium, used in a fusion reactor in its Li-6 isotope form, would fulfil needs for millions of years.) A critical challenge is how to breed and recover tritium reliably in a fusion device. (Radioactive tritium is neither a fissile nor a fissionable material.) There are no enriched materials in a fusion reactor like ITER that could be exploited to make nuclear weapons. As a new source of carbon-free baseload electricity, producing no long-lived radioactive waste, fusion could make a positive contribution to the challenges of resource availability, reduced carbon emissions, and fission waste disposal and safety issues. ### What is Fusion? ITER is charting new territory in fusion research.
[Jump to content](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#bodyContent). * [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#). * [1 Terminology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Terminology). * [2 Background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Background)Toggle Background subsection. * [2.1 Mechanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Mechanism). * [2.5 Energy capture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Energy_capture). * [3 Plasma behavior](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Plasma_behavior). * [4.1 Magnetic confinement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Magnetic_confinement). * [4.2 Inertial confinement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Inertial_confinement). * [4.5 Other thermonuclear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Other_thermonuclear). * [5.2 Heating](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Heating). * [5.3 Measurement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Measurement). * [5.5 Confinement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Confinement). * [5.5.1 Magnetic confinement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Magnetic_confinement_2). * [5.5.1.1 Magnetic mirror](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Magnetic_mirror). * [5.5.1.2 Magnetic loops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Magnetic_loops). * [5.5.2 Inertial confinement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Inertial_confinement_2). * [6.2 Deuterium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Deuterium). * [11 Regulation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Regulation). * [15.3 First tokamak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#First_tokamak). * [15.5 1980s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#1980s). * [15.6 1990s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#1990s). * [15.7 2000s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#2000s). * [15.8 2010s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#2010s). * [15.9 2020s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#2020s). * [17 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#See_also). * [18 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#References). * [19 Bibliography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Bibliography). * [20 Further reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#Further_reading). * [Article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power "View the content page [alt-c]"). * [Read](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power). * [Read](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power). This can reject an externally applied magnetic field, making it diamagnetic.[[19]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#cite_note-19). It is the world's largest stellarator.[[22]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#cite_note-22). Up to 45% of the magnetic field energy can heat the ions.[[64]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#cite_note-64)[[65]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#cite_note-65). * Magnetic oscillations: varying electric currents can be supplied to magnetic coils that heat plasma confined within a magnetic wall.[[66]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power#cite_note-66). [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power?action=edit).
The University of Arizona is leading the next frontier in fusion energy research and commercialization, harnessing the power of the stars to deliver a safe, sustainable, and virtually limitless energy source here on Earth. The University of Arizona, with its excellence in science and engineering disciplines, is training the highly educated workforce needed for the development of fusion energy. Fusion energy research and commercialization will fuel new industries, create high-paying jobs, and drive long-term economic growth across Arizona and beyond. A renowned materials scientist and foreign member of the National Academy of Engineering, Horst Hahn is leading the University of Arizona’s fusion energy initiatives. Researchers from the University of Arizona and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory recently convened for Arizona-Livermore Days, a two-day summit designed to explore and expand alignments in fusion energy, artificial intelligence, space science and national security. The University of Arizona has joined a national, multi-institution research hub to advance the manufacturing technologies required for achieving the benefits of fusion – a safe and sustainable energy source.