Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Type One Energy, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) are teaming up to blaze a trail in fusion energy research, announcing a partnership that will see the creation of a new high-heat flux (HHF) facility in East Tennessee. This state-of-the-art testing ground, situated at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Bull Run Energy Complex, is designed to test materials under the extreme conditions one would find in a fusion device. According to a statement obtained by ORNL, the HHF facility will be a game changer in speeding up the development of plasma-facing components (PFCs), the part of fusion reactors that endure the most intense heat and pressure.
Boasting hydropower from TVA's Bull Run Energy Complex that will not only be one of its kind in the U.S. but also the most potent, it will replicate the high-heat circumstances fusion devices face. ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer laid out the big picture, saying, "This unique collaboration of breakthrough science, industry innovation and academic leadership will result in the creation of a national facility critical to the success of realizing commercial fusion." With a focus on pressurized helium gas cooling—a leading coolant candidate for many American fusion designs—the facility stands out domestically, a strategic move aligning with the country's fusion energy aspirations.
The Department of Energy’s Fusion Energy Sciences program, Type One Energy, and the state of Tennessee are pooling their resources to bring the HHF facility to fruition. The collaboration also draws on considerable regional investment in fusion materials and technology, utilizing UT's prowess in fusion materials design and ORNL's expertise in fusion materials development and characterization. Christofer Mowry, CEO of Type One Energy, emphasized the regional significance in a statement, "The DOE, ORNL, and UT are playing important roles in advancing America's commercial fusion sector."
The overarching vision is for the Clinton site to grow into a veritable hub for fusion development and innovation. By establishing this facility, East Tennessee is expected to solidify its status as a force in fusion research and a manufacturing center for future fusion plants. Nestled amid ongoing collaborations between ORNL, Type One Energy, UT, and TVA, the project promises to deliver a significant impact. "It's exciting to witness the convergence of science and innovation toward a commercially viable fusion industry in the U.S.," expressed Joe Hoagland, interim associate laboratory director for ORNL's Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate, in the same ORNL release.
Addressing the technical leaps being made, the HHF facility aims to expose materials to heat loads surpassing 10 megawatts per square meter—akin to the inner workings of rocket engines. The facility's electron-beam technology and helium gas cooling are set to bring this vision to life, potentially revolutionizing the thermal management of future fusion power plants. UT's Brian Wirth, shedding light on the academic side, told ORNL, “UT is excited to expand our partnership with Type One Energy and ORNL to build this high-heat flux facility in East Tennessee.”
The project moves forward as the design is finalized and procurement and assembly kick off. TVA is laying the groundwork for the facility with the goal of wrapping up by the end of 2027. ORNL's commitment to this endeavor exemplifies its broader mission to support U.S. energy needs by propelling nuclear technology research and reinforcing national security.
