Fusion energy could soon be joining the U.S. power grid

Commonwealth Fusion Systems has applied to join the PJM Interconnection power grid, which serves over 67 million people. The company is developing a tokamak reactor that uses lasers and magnetic fields to fuse hydrogen isotopes. This fusion process could potentially provide limitless clean energy. However, significant technical challenges remain, particularly in achieving a stable fusion reaction that produces more energy than it consumes. Current experimental results show progress, but large-scale implementation is still theoretical.

"Commonwealth Fusion Systems is looking to join a power grid operated by PJM Interconnection, which provides 182,000 megawatts of power to over 67 million people across 13 states and Washington, D.C."

"The company is developing a tokamak reactor design that uses high-powered lasers and powerful magnetic fields to combine two isotopes of hydrogen—deuterium and tritium—in a process that mimics the nuclear reactions in the sun."

"While recent results from Germany's Wendelstein 7-X demonstrated the ability to contain superheated plasma for 43 seconds, there is still a long way to go before a fusion device could be connected to a grid."

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