Type One Energy to build fusion prototype at retired TVA coal plant
Nuclear

Type One Energy to build fusion prototype at retired TVA coal plant

Type One Energy Group announced the company’s plans to locate to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Bull Run Fossil Plant in Clinton, Tennessee to build Infinity One, the company’s stellarator fusion prototype machine.

TVA retired the coal-fired Bull Run Fossil Plant in December 2023, as part of its effort to fully retire its coal fleet by 2030.

The construction of Infinity One could begin in 2025, following the completion of necessary environmental reviews, partnership agreements, required permits, and operating licenses, Type One Energy said. The company will also establish its headquarters in East Tennessee.

Project Infinity is the result of a tri-party memorandum of understanding signed in 2023 between TVA, Type One Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), in which the three parties expressed interest in the development and commercialization of fusion energy technologies.

“Successful deployment of Infinity One in East Tennessee, with our partners TVA and ORNL, is a critical milestone in our FusionDirect commercialization program. It is also a watershed moment toward the commercialization of fusion, linking for the first time leaders in the technology, utility, and national laboratory sectors on an actual deployment project,” said Type One Energy CEO Christofer Mowry. “Project Infinity will create the world’s highest performance stellarator, offering an excellent platform for a potential long-term fusion research facility.”

In partnership with TVA and ORNL, Type One Energy will explore subsequent opportunities to further advance the commercial deployment of fusion energy in the East Tennessee region. The company says Infinity One will allow it to verify design features of its high-field stellarator fusion pilot plant, particularly those related to operating efficiency, reliability, maintainability, and affordability.

“TVA is working with our partners to pursue new ideas and innovative solutions that meet growing energy demand in real-world conditions,” said TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash. “We appreciate this partnership between Type One Energy, ORNL, our local power companies, and elected and economic development officials as we work together to identify energy technologies for the future.”