Commonwealth Fusion Systems

CFS was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center.{{cite journal|last1=Tollefson|first1=Jeff|title=MIT launches multimillion-dollar collaboration to develop fusion energy|journal=Nature|date=March 9, 2018| volume=555 | issue=7696 |pages=294–295|language=EN|doi=10.1038/d41586-018-02966-3|doi-access=free|pmid=29542724 |bibcode=2018Natur.555..294T }} After initial funding of $50 million in 2018 from the Italian multinational Eni, CFS closed its series A round of venture capital funding in 2019 with a total of US$ 115 million in funding from Eni,{{cite news|last1=Devlin|first1=Hannah|title=Nuclear fusion on brink of being realised, say MIT scientists|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/09/nuclear-fusion-on-brink-of-being-realised-say-mit-scientists|access-date=April 16, 2018|work=The Guardian|date=March 9, 2018|language=en}} Bill Gates's Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Vinod Khosla's Khosla Ventures, and others.{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/1402282/in-search-of-clean-energy-investments-in-nuclear-fusion-startups-are-heating-up/|title=In search of clean energy, investments in nuclear-fusion startups are heating up|last=Rathi|first=Akshat|date=September 26, 2018|website=Quartz|access-date=February 4, 2019}}{{Cite press release |date=June 27, 2019 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/commonwealth-fusion-systems-raises-115-million-and-closes-series-a-round-to-commercialize-fusion-energy-300875732.html|title=Commonwealth Fusion Systems Raises $115 Million and Closes Series A Round to Commercialize Fusion Energy|website=PR Newswire|access-date=June 27, 2019}} CFS raised an additional US$ 84 million in series A2 funding from Singapore's Temasek, Norway's Equinor, and Devonshire Investors, as well as from previous investors.{{Cite press release |title=Commonwealth Fusion Systems Raises $ 84 Million in A2 Round|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/commonwealth-fusion-systems-raises-84-million-in-a2-round-301064766.html |date=May 26, 2020 |website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=May 26, 2020}} As of October 2020, CFS had approximately 100 employees.{{Cite journal|last=Aut|first=Kramer David|date=October 13, 2020|title=Investments in privately funded fusion ventures grow|journal=Physics Today|volume=2020|issue=2|pages=1013a|url=https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/10.1063/PT.6.2.20201013a/abs/|language=EN|doi=10.1063/PT.6.2.20201013a|bibcode=2020PhT..2020b1013.|s2cid=243181080}}

In September 2020, the company reported significant progress in the physics and engineering design of the SPARC tokamak,{{cite news|last1=Fountain|first1=Henry|date=September 29, 2020|title=Compact Nuclear Fusion Reactor Is 'Very Likely to Work,' Studies Suggest|language=EN|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/29/climate/nuclear-fusion-reactor.html|access-date=September 29, 2020}}{{cite web|title=New Scientific Papers Predict Historic Results for Commonwealth Fusion Systems' Approach to Commercial Fusion Energy|url=https://cfs.energy/news-and-media/new-scientific-papers-predict-historic-results-for|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=Commonwealth Fusion Systems}} and in October 2020, the development of a new high temperature superconducting cable, called VIPER.{{cite web|title=New High-Temperature Superconductor (HTS) Cable Demonstrates High Performance|url=https://cfs.energy/news-and-media/new-high-temperature-superconductor-hts-cable-demonstrates|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=Commonwealth Fusion Systems}}{{cite web|title=Superconductor technology for smaller, sooner fusion|url=https://www.psfc.mit.edu/news/2020/superconductor-technology-for-smaller-sooner-fusion|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=MIT PSFC}} Over the 9-month period from 2019 to 2020, the company purchased over 186 miles of the wire in 400-600 meter lengths from vendors, more than was produced by some vendors over the preceding 6 years.Molodyk, A., et al. "Development and large volume production of extremely high current density YBa2Cu3O7 superconducting wires for fusion." Scientific reports 11.1 (2021): 1-11.

In March 2021, CFS announced plans to build a headquarters, manufacturing, and research campus (including the SPARC tokamak), in Devens, Massachusetts.{{Cite web|first=Jon |last=Chesto |title=MIT energy startup homes in on fusion, with plans for 47-acre site in Devens|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/03/business/mit-energy-startup-homes-fusion-with-plans-47-acre-site-devens/ |date=March 3, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021|website=BostonGlobe.com|language=en-US}}{{cite web |title=Commonwealth Fusion Systems Selects 47-Acre Site in Devens, Mass., for Historic Commercial Fusion Energy Campus |url=https://cfs.energy/news-and-media/commonwealth-fusion-systems-selects-47-acre-site-in |website=Commonwealth Fusion Systems |access-date=March 7, 2021}} Also in 2021, CEO Bob Mumgaard was appointed to the board of directors of the Fusion Industry Association, which was incorporated as a non profit association with a focus on combating climate change.{{Cite web|date=May 5, 2021|title=Fusion Industry Association Announces Independent Incorporation and Expansion|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/finance/news/fusion-industry-association-announces-independent-172300422.html|url-status=live|website=Yahoo! Finance|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916234739/https://finance.yahoo.com/finance/news/fusion-industry-association-announces-independent-172300422.html |archive-date=September 16, 2021 }}

In September 2021, the company announced the demonstration of a high temperature superconducting magnet, able to generate magnetic fields of 20 Tesla.{{Cite web|title=MIT-designed project achieves major advance toward fusion energy|url=https://news.mit.edu/2021/MIT-CFS-major-advance-toward-fusion-energy-0908|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=MIT News {{!}} Massachusetts Institute of Technology|date=September 8, 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Commonwealth Fusion Systems creates viable path to commercial fusion power with world's strongest magnet|url=https://www.cfs.energy/news-and-media/cfs-commercial-fusion-power-with-hts-magnet/|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=www.cfs.energy|language=en}} According to the New York Times, this was a successful test of "the world's most powerful version of the type of magnet crucial to many fusion efforts"{{Cite news|last=Reed|first=Stanley|date=October 18, 2021|title=Nuclear Fusion Edges Toward the Mainstream|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/18/business/fusion-energy.html|access-date=October 30, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}

In November 2021, the company raised an additional $1.8 billion in Series B funding to construct and operate the SPARC tokamak,{{Cite Q|Q114892748|url-status=live|access-date=2025-01-09}} funded by Temasek Holdings, Google, Bill Gates and Eni.

In December the company began construction on SPARC in Devens, Massachusetts.{{Cite web |last=Temple|first=James|title=A hole in the ground could be the future of fusion power |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/02/23/1045122/fusion-power-mit-startup-commonwealth/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=MIT Technology Review |language=en}}

In March 2022, Axios reported that as a result of sanctions against Russia, CFS faced significant supply chain problems.{{Cite web | url=https://www.axios.com/sanctions-threaten-commonwealth-supply-chain-cbd6bc83-af39-4a1c-a922-271877354e06.html | title=Scoop: Russia sanctions threaten Commonwealth's supply chain | date=March 21, 2022 }}

By late 2022, CFS had grown to approximately 350 employees and was preparing to move into its Devens campus.{{Cite news |title=Birthplace of a fusion industry? Commonwealth Fusion Systems prepares to open Devens campus|newspaper= The Harvard Press|location =Harvard, Massachusetts |date=October 21, 2022}}

A ceremonial opening for the Devens campus was held in February 2023.{{cite news|title=Commonwealth Fusion Systems celebrates newest campus at Devens|author=Shane Rhodes| newspaper=Sentinel & Enterprise|location=Fitchburg, Massachusetts|date=February 16, 2023 |url=https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2023/02/16/commonwealth-fusion-systems-celebrates-newest-campus-at-devens/}}

In March 2023, Eni and CFS signed a multi-year agreement to collaborate in obtaining the components and authorizations necessary for the construction of the first SPARC experimental plant, as well as the construction of the first Arc power plant and the identification of countries that may be interested in hosting it.{{cite web|language=it|url=https://www-lastampa-it.translate.goog/economia/2023/03/09/news/eni_si_allea_con_lamericana_cfs_per_la_fusione_nucleare_il_primo_prototipo_nel_2025-12684531/?_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=wapp|date=March 9, 2023|publisher=La Stampa|access-date=March 12, 2023|title=Eni joins forces with the American CFS for nuclear fusion: the first prototype in 2025}}

In May 2023, United States Department of Energy granted the company additional funding along with seven other US companies via the Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program.{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Brian |date=2023-05-31 |title=Eight Nuclear Fusion Companies Get a Total of $46 Million |website=NextBigFuture.com |url=https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2023/05/eight-nuclear-fusion-companies-get-a-total-of-46-million.html |access-date=2023-06-02 |language=en-US}}

In 2024, CFS announced plans to build the world's first grid-scale commercial nuclear fusion power plant at the James River Industrial Center in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The plant will produce about 400 MWe.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=World's first commercial fusion power plant coming to Chesterfield |url=https://rictoday.6amcity.com/business/cfs-worlds-first-fusion-power-plant-richmond-va |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=6AM - RICtoday |language=en}}{{cite news|title=Virginia to host world's first fusion power plant|newspaper=Virginia Mercury|date=December 18, 2024|url=https://virginiamercury.com/2024/12/18/virginia-to-host-worlds-first-fusion-power-plant/}}

CFS intends to demonstrate net-positive energy in a tokamak via the SPARC tokamak, which will pave the way for a multi-hundred MW electric ARC plant.{{Cite web|url=https://eapsweb.mit.edu/news/2018/new-approach-fusion-energy|title=A New Approach to Fusion Energy Starts Today {{!}} MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences|website=eapsweb.mit.edu|access-date=April 9, 2019|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411162919/https://eapsweb.mit.edu/news/2018/new-approach-fusion-energy|url-status=dead}}{{Cite journal|last=Greenwald|first=Martin|date=2019|title=Fusion Energy: Research at the Crossroads|journal=Joule|language=en|volume=3|issue=5|pages=1175–1179|doi=10.1016/j.joule.2019.03.013|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal|last1=Creely|first1=A. J.|last2=Greenwald|first2=M. J.|last3=Ballinger|first3=S. B.|last4=Brunner|first4=D.|last5=Canik|first5=J.|last6=Doody|first6=J.|last7=Fülöp|first7=T.|author7-link=Tünde Fülöp|last8=Garnier|first8=D. T.|last9=Granetz|first9=R.|last10=Gray|first10=T. K.|last11=Holland|first11=C.|date=2020|title=Overview of the SPARC tokamak|journal=Journal of Plasma Physics|language=en|volume=86|issue=5|doi=10.1017/S0022377820001257|bibcode=2020JPlPh..86e8602C|issn=0022-3778|doi-access=free|hdl=1721.1/136131|hdl-access=free}} They plan to achieve this by incorporating a large-bore, high field (20 Tesla) superconducting magnet made of VIPER, a yttrium barium copper oxide superconducting tape.{{cite web |last=Chandler |first=David |url=https://news.mit.edu/2021/MIT-CFS-major-advance-toward-fusion-energy-0908 |title=MIT-designed project achieves major advance toward fusion energy |work=MIT |date=September 8, 2021 |access-date=September 8, 2021}} As a high-temperature superconductor, VIPER can sustain higher electric currents and magnetic fields than were previously possible. Previous tokamaks used copper or low-temperature superconducting magnets that need to be large in size to create the magnetic field that is necessary to achieve net energy. The CFS high-temperature superconductor magnet is intended to create much stronger magnetic fields, allowing the tokamaks to be much smaller.

The first magnet of this type was built and tested in 2021. The D-shaped magnet consisted of 16 layers, each containing HTS tape. It weighed 10 tons and stood 8 feet tall, including 165 miles of tape. SPARC will include 18 similar magnets. The magnet technology used in SPARC is intended to give "the world a clear path to fusion power,"{{Citation |title=PR Newswire |date=2005 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412952545.n322 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Public Relations |location=Thousand Oaks, CA United States |publisher=SAGE Publications, Inc. |doi=10.4135/9781412952545.n322 |isbn=9780761927334 |access-date=2022-04-28}} according to the CFS CEO Bob Mumgaard.

As of October 2024, SPARC was targeted to begin operations in 2026, with the goal of demonstrating net power (Q > 1) in 2027.{{cite news |last1=Crownhart |first1=Casey |title=Inside a fusion energy facility |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/10/31/1106384/inside-a-fusion-energy-facility/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |agency=MIT Technology Review |date=1 October 2024}} CFS also plans to build a power plant based on the ARC design at the beginning of the 2030s.{{cite web|url=https://www-eni-com.translate.goog/it-IT/attivita/collaborazione-commonwealth-fusion-systems.html?_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=wapp#:~:text=Commonwealth%20Fusion%20Systems%20%C3%A8%20uno,industrializzazione%20l%27energia%20da%20fusione.|title=Eni and Commonwealth Fusion Systems, together for fusion energy|publisher=Eni}} Both SPARC and ARC plan to use deuterium-tritium fuel, which produces helium as a by-product.{{Cite web|url=https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsfusion-reactions|title=DOE Explains...Fusion Reactions|website=Energy.gov}}{{Cite web|url=https://virginiamercury.com/2024/12/18/virginia-to-host-worlds-first-fusion-power-plant/|title=Virginia to host world’s first fusion power plant • Virginia Mercury|first=Charlie|last=Paullin|date=December 18, 2024}}

SPARC is predicted to have a burning plasma. That means that the fusion process would be predominantly self-heating.{{Cite journal |date=2020-06-12 |title=Nuclear Fusion Articles Based on Papers Presented at the 27th Fusion Energy Conference |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/ab8cb6 |journal=Nuclear Fusion |volume=60 |issue=7 |pages=079801 |doi=10.1088/1741-4326/ab8cb6 |bibcode=2020NucFu..60g9801. |s2cid=241625548 |issn=0029-5515}}

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• General Fusion
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• Helium production in the United States

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{{reflist}}

• {{official website}}
• {{Cite journal |last=Cho|first=Adrian|date=September 8, 2021|title=This powerful electromagnet could help make fusion energy a reality |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/powerful-electromagnet-could-help-make-fusion-energy-reality|url-status=live|access-date=September 11, 2021 |website=Science |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909005252/https://www.science.org/content/article/powerful-electromagnet-could-help-make-fusion-energy-reality|archive-date=September 9, 2021|language=en|doi=10.1126/science.acx9064}}

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Category:Energy companies of the United States

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Category:Companies based in Cambridge, Massachusetts

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