The Potential for Fusion Power to Mitigate US Greenhouse Gas ...
The GHG emission rate for DT fusion is 9 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent emitted per gigawatt electric hour produced (T/GWeh). This rate compares favorably
The GHG emission rate for DT fusion is 9 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent emitted per gigawatt electric hour produced (T/GWeh). This rate compares favorably
Fusion, similar to fission, does not produce carbon dioxide or any other greenhouse gases. However, unlike fission, fusion does not produce any long-lived
Fusion energy releases no greenhouse gasses, and a power plant could be built anywhere. The main fuel source, hydrogen, is readily found in
# Fusion Energy included in Proposed IRA Clean Energy Tax Credits. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is changing existing renewable energy tax credits into a technology neutral tax credit that supports any facility that does not produce greenhouse gases. Last year, the Fusion Industry Association submitted comment letters advocating for the inclusion of fusion energy in these new credits. The specific types of facilities with a GHG emissions rate of zero or less that would be eligible for these credits include wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, nuclear fission, fusion energy, and certain types of waste energy. The explicit inclusion of fusion energy in the IRA tax credits is important in providing certainty to developers and their shareholders about the future development of fusion as a commercial energy source. Furthermore, it is important that fusion energy is recognized as a qualifying technology on its own and not as part of any “Advanced Nuclear” designation. © 2026 Fusion Industry Association - Messaging, design and development by Mind Over Markets.
Fusion is competitive in the power sector when: 1) deep decarbonization is targeted, 2) land is limited, 3) geothermal generation is not available h t i w g n i z i n o b r a c e D : n o i s u f % 0 1 ~ At a carbon intensity of 40 gCO2-equivalent/kWh, in 2050 Where circle diameters are proportional to (capacity buildout / average demand) RoR Fusion Natural Gas (CC with CCS) Natural Gas (CC) Natural Gas (CT) LIB short PHS Nuclear LIB medium LIB long Geothermal Solar Wind Offshore Wind Conventional Farnsworth & Genc ¸ er, 2024, Cell Reports Sustainability 1, 100238 October 25, 2024 ª 2024 The Author(s).
# 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.
# Potential contribution of fusion power generation to low-carbon development under the Paris Agreement and associated uncertainties. This paper assessed the potential contribution of fusion power generation to low-carbon development, which is prescribed in the Paris Agreement, under the combination of different uncertainties of future socioeconomic development, probability of the 2 °C target, and development of commercial fusion power plants. Global negative CO2 emission in 2100 by drastic decarbonization of energy systems was required to achieve the 2 °C target, and fusion power plants were expected to be installed in the latter half of the 21st century mainly in countries with limited potentials of zero-emission energy sources, such as Japan, Korea, and Turkey, for cost-efficient climate change mitigation. If inexpensive power plants could be developed by enhanced R&D and advanced design in DEMO projects or if the establishment of fission plants in the future is low, fusion power generation will also be deployed in the EU28, India, and China.
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.”.