The European Commission hosted an event on April 23 in Strasbourg focused on “The EU Blueprint for Fusion Energy” with participation by FIA EU Director Cyrille Mai Thanh and our EU-based FIA members and affiliate members. The event discussed the role of the EU in accelerating the development of commercial fusion power, and ways public and private sectors can collaborate.
On April 29-30, G7 Ministers met in Turin, Italy for the Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers’ Meeting. The resulting communiqué published by the Ministers identifies actions across a range of topics, including fusion energy, to address the ongoing climate and energy crises.
On April 11, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder made a visit to the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching, Germany. The two commended the work done at the Institute and emphasized the need for a European fusion alliance, public-private partnership programs, and a clear…
On April 10, the United States and Japan announced a strategic partnership to accelerate fusion commercialization efforts. The bilateral agreement aims to advance and build off of fusion initiatives from both countries – the US’ Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy and Strategy for International Partnerships in a New Era of Fusion Development and Japan’s Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy. Both countries have been advancing fusion initiatives within their strategies, and this partnership is a key collaborative step forward amid the global race to commercial fusion.
One year after Japan launched its “Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy” to accelerate development and commercialization efforts, the government continues to meet the moment. On March 22, with the Fusion Industry Association and the Institute for Education, Ambassador Shigeo Yamada hosted “Fusion, Breaking Through: The Technologies, Policies, & Partnerships Accelerating the Next Energy Revolution” at the Ambassador’s Residence at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC. The Cabinet Office announced the launch of Japan’s Fusion Industry Council (J-Fusion) – a consortium of Japanese companies to accelerate fusion development in the country.
On March 20-21, the Fusion Industry Association held our 2024 Annual Policy Conference. Taking place at Union Station in Washington, D.C., the sold out conference convened government, regulatory, industry, investment, and academic leaders to discuss the path to fusion commercialization.
Germany’s Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger announced a new funding program for fusion research aimed at paving the way for the first fusion power plant to be constructed in Germany by 2040.
On March 21, world leaders gathered in Brussels for the first International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Nuclear Energy Summit to highlight the critical role of nuclear energy, including fusion energy, in addressing the global challenges to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy security, and boost economic development.
On 14 March, the European Commission held the first “High-Level Roundtable on Fostering Innovation for Fusion energy in Europe’’, hosted by Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, with participation from FIA CEO Andrew Holland and other key leaders in the fusion industry and public sector.
On March 12, the Energy Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a Congressional hearing on “Bridging the Valley of Death: ARPA-E’s Role in Developing Breakthrough Technologies”. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) program has helped accelerate the development of a multitude of breakthrough technologies, including fusion energy.