WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) marked the two-year anniversary of the Biden-Harris Administration's launch of the U.S. Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy with the release of the DOE Fusion Energy Strategy 2024 and an event at the White House co-hosted by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
At the inaugural event where the Bold Decadal Vision was unveiled, DOE launched a Department-wide initiative to develop a strategy for accelerating the viability of commercial fusion energy in partnership with the private sector. The newly released DOE Fusion Energy Strategy 2024 is organized around three pillars: closing science and technology (S&T) gaps to a commercially relevant fusion pilot plant; preparing for sustainable, equitable commercial fusion deployment; and building and leveraging external partnerships.
Today’s White House event aimed to further build awareness and support for fusion energy development by recognizing progress driven by the Biden-Harris Administration towards realizing ambitious goals under the U.S. Bold Decadal Vision, as well as addressing significant challenges and opportunities remaining for fusion commercialization.
“With today’s announcements, DOE has shown once again that we are ambitiously implementing our U.S. Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy,” said DOE Deputy Secretary David Turk. "We will leverage opportunities enabled by our world-leading public and private fusion leadership, including humanity’s first-ever demonstration of fusion ignition at our National Ignition Facility as well as major new advances in technologies such as high-temperature superconductors, advanced materials, and artificial intelligence to accelerate fusion energy. The development of fusion energy as a clean, safe, abundant energy source has become a global race, and the U.S. will stay in the lead.”
In support of DOE’s fusion energy strategy, DOE also announced a $180 million funding opportunity for Fusion Innovative Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives. These Collaboratives aim to support creating a fusion innovation ecosystem by forming teams focused on bridging foundational science research with industry needs. They are envisioned as dynamic hubs of innovation to bolster US-based manufacturing and supply chains while driving advancements in collaboration with both public and private entities.
The FIRE Collaboratives Funding Opportunity Announcement is sponsored by FES within DOE’s Office of Science. It is open to accredited U.S. colleges and universities, national laboratories, nonprofits, and private companies. Outyear funding is subject to congressional appropriations. FES will host a webinar on June 7, 2024 at 12pm ET; pre-applications are due on July 9, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET.
DOE also made several other announcements supporting its decadal vision:
- The agency released its comprehensive DOE Fusion Energy Strategy 2024 alongside a new FES vision titled Building Bridges.
- All eight selectees signed agreements to participate in the Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program.
- A Request for Information (RFI) was issued on a proposed Fusion Energy Public-Private Consortium Framework (PPCF), which aims to complement existing programs by fostering new partnerships.
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