Can fusion produce electricity?

Fusion can potentially provide a safe, abundant, zero-carbon-emitting source of reliable primary energy. To reach the point where fusion can reliably produce electricity and other forms of energy for commercial, industrial, and residential use, scientists and engineers must tackle a number of remaining scientific and technological challenges.

Is fusion a viable source of energy?

Fusion may also potentially provide a combined source of energy in the form of heat and power for hydrogen production, industrial heat, carbon capture, and desalination. At the same time, fusion has both technology gaps (e.g., materials and fuel cycle) and potential risks that need to be managed.

What is the DOE Fusion Energy Program?

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.

How can fusion technology accelerate and transform fusion R&D?

Other major scientific advances, e.g. in high-temperature superconductors, advanced materials, and artificial intelligence, have the potential to further accelerate and transform fusion R&D. Fusion is a potential source of on-demand, safe, and abundant energy with zero carbon emissions.

Does the Department of Energy Invest in fusion energy research?

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.

What happens when ions fuse together?

At sufficiently high temperatures, ions fuse together. This process—fusion—releases energy in the form of heat. Scientists are working hard to recreate the process here on Earth and to collect the energy to make electricity or for other energy-intensive applications.