Abstract Body

In the context of the climate crisis, the urgent need for fusion energy to achieve carbon neutrality has spurred rapid fusion energy development worldwide. Fusion energy is rapidly progressing from the lab to the commercialization, driven by the efforts of private companies. The fusion industry is currently experiencing a Cambrian explosion, with the industry on the verge of significant growth and diversification. This burgeoning market is creating a plethora of business opportunities as advancements in technology and increasing investments drive progress in fusion energy. The next decade will focus on building proof-of-concept experiments and scaling up to fusion pilot plants, with long-term plans to mass-produce fusion machines for global deployment. However, this transition from scientific experiments to a major global industry requires careful planning, especially given the technological diversity of fusion approaches. Companies need a wide range of specialized components and systems, including high-field superconducting magnets, tritium breeding blanket systems, tritium fuel cycle systems, and materials that can withstand extreme conditions. Those key components and systems need further developments. For an instance, superconducting magnets are expected from their high magnetic field and higher operating temperature, but requirements from various aspects such as high stress, faster change of the field, larger heat load and radiation etc., will have to be considered. Additionally, a skilled workforce is essential, shifting the demand from scientists to engineers and operators. Building a robust supply chain is a primary challenge, as highlighted by several reports that assessed the current state and scaling challenges of the fusion supply chain.

Establishing a competitive fusion supply chain that incorporates new technologies like high temperature superconducting magnet (HTS) and AI is crucial for faster commercialization. In Japan, both large corporations and SMEs, with experience from projects like JT60SA and ITER, are actively contributing to this effort. Kyoto Fusioneering is playing a leading role in integrating these efforts as a planning, designing, engineering and manufacturing platform.

The integration of collected efforts and experience in fusion technology represents a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable and efficient fusion energy. Continued advancements in key technologies including superconducting magnet and structural materials, combined with innovative engineering solutions, will pave the way for the next generation of fusion machines, bringing us closer to realizing the fusion commercialization.

References

[1] Kyoto Fusioneering's Approach to Accelerating Commercial Viability

Keywords: Fusion energy, fusion commercialization,, manufacturing, supply chain, high temperature superconducting magnet (HTS magnet)