Fusion energy experts spanning the government, academia, and the private sector testified on the prospects of fusion research before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Sept. 15.
“We believe we have a real shot at commercial fusion power plants on the grid starting in the early 2030s,” said Bob Mumgaard, CEO of the private fusion firm Commonwealth Fusion Systems.
A 2022 Fusion Industry Association survey found that the sector has attracted more than $4.7 billion in private investment, marking a rise of more than $2.8 billion in just one year.
Today’s nuclear plants are based on nuclear fission—in other words, harnessing the energy created from splitting heavy atoms, such as uranium….