Fusion energy promises a true revolution in the energy sector. One scaled to industrial levels. It would enable the generation of large amounts of zero-carbon energy through a safe, firm, and virtually limitless process. These unique characteristics position fusion as a potential turning point in the global journey toward decarbonization.
Although the fusion process is the basis of life on Earth, replicating it artificially on our planet remains an extraordinary challenge.
In the last few years, scientific and technological breakthroughs have brought the industrialization of this technology a step closer. Today, the prospect of fusion energy powering the world feels more tangible than ever. Research, development, and industrialization programs for fusion energy are underway in over 50 countries globally. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) World Fusion Outlook 2024 report records more than 150 fusion energy projects worldwide –from both public and private sector – showing a remarkable 30% increase since 2019.
In line with the various technological and process alternatives available for the commercial development of fusion, the private fusion industry has grown rapidly in recent years and experts are exploring various solutions. In its 2024 report on the global fusion energy industry, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) highlights that the sector has attracted over $7 billion in investments in the last few years, and it has seen a growing number of companies – now over 45 – accompanied by a series of technological advancements.
Private companies are exploring various technologies, with approaches ranging from magnetic or inertial confinement to more innovative designs. For the fusion industry, this breadth of possibilities serves to diversify risk by simultaneously pursuing multiple potential applications of various innovative technologies. Startups can take greater risks and capitalize on new funding opportunities, unlocking an accelerated progress toward fusion commercialization. In this context, collaboration between the public and private sectors will be crucial to advancing toward the industrialization of fusion. While private companies play a pivotal role in taking risks and innovating, shared technological challenges for fusion – such as the materials or the fuel cycle – will require joint efforts. Sharing of knowledge and expertise on a global scale, facilitated by public-private collaboration, will not only accelerate the pace of progress but also ensure a more efficient and lower-risk approach.
Technological innovation is a cornerstone of Eni’s energy transition strategy and breakthrough technologies such as fusion energy can drive a shift in the energy transition and its decarbonization pathway.
As Eni, we were one of the first energy companies to support the development of fusion energy and we have a comprehensive approach that spans numerous initiatives:
- Participation in Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS): since 2018 Eni is a strategic shareholder in CFS, a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the industrial application of magnetic confinement fusion. Eni and CFS actively collaborate to accelerate the industrialization of the technology. In March 2023, Eni and CFS signed a Technology Framework Agreement to collaborate on the development of fusion energy. CFS is currently building the first fusion reactor demonstration – named SPARC – that is aimed at achieving a positive energy balance in a magnetic confinement facility, paving the way for the subsequent commercialization of fusion energy. SPARC will thus serve as a testing ground for the development of ARC: the first industrial-scale fusion power plant capable of feeding electricity into the grid with a zero CO₂ emissions process. In September 2021, CFS already reached a crucial milestone with the successful test of the world’s most powerful innovative high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet, a major step forward on the road to the first commercial fusion energy plant.
- Participation in the ENEA’s DTT (Divertor Tokamak Test facility) project, aimed at engineering and constructing a fusion machine dedicated to testing components that will have to manage the large amount of heat generated inside the fusion chamber.
- Collaborations with universities and research centers of excellence, which have long been part of Eni’s network. Also noteworthy are the collaborations with the CNR (Italian National Research Council), the Polytechnic University of Milan, Turin, the University of Milan Bicocca, Padua.
- Internationally, we have a long-standing scientific collaboration with MIT and we recently established a partnership with the UK Atomic Energy Authority to speed up research into solutions that will enable fusion energy such as the fuel cycle, materials, superconducting technology, physics, and plasma control.
- Finally, to support these important institutions in their research, Eni has made available to researchers the computing power of its HPC 6, our supercomputing system among the most powerful in the world.
However, the commitment of research, centers of excellence, private companies, and suppliers alone cannot unlock the full potential of fusion energy. To meet the requirements of a large-scale production, an entire new industry will need to be ready to scale, and some enabling factors still need to be developed.
Workforce development will be a crucial point in the successful transition to large-scale fusion energy production. Investing in training and education programs to build expertise in fusion technology and related fields is essential for addressing the future possible shortage of qualified professionals. Eni has actively supported the development of talent through co-financed PhD programs and, more recently, the establishment of a master’s program in new nuclear technologies in partnership with the Polytechnic University of Turin.
A second critical factor is manufacturing and supply chain development. Europe, thanks to its crucial participation in international programs such as ITER, has established a leadership position in the fusion supply chain. However, the current system operates on a one-time project basis, limiting the scalability required for an industrialized fusion sector. To overcome this, a strategic, long-term EU approach is necessary to strengthen and expand the fusion supply chain. Furthermore, fully integrating fusion energy into the EU framework for Net-Zero industry and EU-wide support schemes for industrial and technological innovation would help an enabling environment to grow and facilitate cross-sector collaboration.
Governments and policymakers play a critical role in fostering a stable and predictable environment for businesses and investors, ensuring that the fusion projects are marketable from the outset of commercialization. Europe’s leadership in fusion energy, however, is far from guaranteed.
Europe should draw inspiration from other countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and China, which have already implemented bold and focused strategies to accelerate fusion development, backed by significant investments and clear policies. The US and the UK, for instance, have already developed dedicated regulatory frameworks for fusion, separated from fission.
Without a coordinated and ambitious EU approach, Europe risks lagging behind in the global race to harness the transformative potential of fusion technology.
All in all, Europe really needs a cohesive EU fusion strategy – supported by enabling policies – to unlock the full potential of this transformative sector. A strategy would accelerate technological development and lay the groundwork for the industrial realization of projects within a medium-to-long-term timeframe.
These efforts would contribute to establish the conditions necessary to support the commercialization phase of fusion energy, stimulating national investments and attracting international capital. In doing so, Europe could reinforce its leadership in fusion energy while building the foundation for a new strategic industry that aligns with the broader goal to enhance EU competitiveness.
Francesca Ferrazza, Eni’s Head of Magnetic Fusion Initiatives
This post was originally published on here
