From Concept to Construction
In February 2024, we announced Project Infinity and the selection of a former Bull Run Fossil Plant in Clinton, Tennessee, as the building site for our first in-situ stellarator testbed, Infinity One. A cooperative effort involving Type One Energy, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Infinity One will verify important aspects of our fusion pilot plant design and operating efficiency, reliability, maintainability, and affordability. This first-of-a-kind industry cooperation agreement demonstrates fusion power plant technology readiness.
Infinity One, once completed, will be the world’s most advanced stellarator. It will allow us to verify important elements of the Fusion Pilot Plant (FPP) we are currently designing. The primary goals of the Project Infinity program and Infinity One include:
- Demonstrating the efficacy of our modular high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet system for stellarators,
- Evaluating stellarator plasma performance in the presence of a metallic first wall,
- Verifying the reduction in plasma heat loss from turbulence, and
- Confirming improved exhaust efficiency.
Infinity One will also provide a testbed for demonstrating improved manufacturing, construction, and commissioning processes, both in cost and time, using design innovations and modern methods.
Bringing Star Power Down to Earth
Stellarators are one of the top performing fusion concepts in the race to reach net positive energy.
After many decades of research, the performance of stellarators has been shown to scale very predictably given its simplicity of operation and proven plasma stability at these high ion and electron energy levels. This reduces the risk of unforeseen physics complications needed for commercial operation.
High-Performance Computing Optimizes Our Designs
Because confinement of the plasma in a stellarator is driven solely by the external magnets, modifying the shape and strength of the fields has a major impact on performance. To tailor a three-dimensional magnetic field with the right shape to achieve quasi-symmetry requires extensive calculations. Advances in computer modeling code and high performance computing has provided this ability.
Going Grid Scale
Type One Energy is now executing its FusionDirect technology program, which is a partner-rich, capital-efficient path to commercialization. The program builds upon the exceptional network of fusion partners. Co-founders of the Type One team proved the benefits of stellarators with their construction of the HSX and W7-X machines. These operating stellarators demonstrate excellent agreement between theory and real-world design.
With scientific validations complete, the pilot plant can proceed to achieve stellarator fuel ignition conditions (Q = infinity) and put fusion electrons on the grid.
The stellarator’s twisted magnetic fields keep fuel particles from drifting away from where they fuse.
Simple & Stable
Driven only by external magnetic fields
(No disruptions)
Steady State
Continuous operation
(No pulsing)
High Energy Gain
No operational plasma heating input
No Miracles Needed
The stellarator’s twisted magnetic fields keep fuel particles from drifting away from where they fuse. This design provides numerous benefits:
- Fusion confinement without massive circulating currents
- Excellent efficiency with no parasitic recirculating power
- Easy to operate in steady-state conditions that avoids the high maintenance, mechanical and thermal stresses of pulsed fusion designs
- No technical showstoppers to fusion power plant
Because confinement of the plasma in a stellarator is driven solely by the external magnets, modifying the shape and strength of their fields has a major impact on performance. To tailor a three-dimensional magnetic field with the right shape to achieve quasi-symmetry requires extensive calculations. Advances in computer modeling code and high-performance computing has provided this ability.