The Department of Energy this week announced $134 million in funding towards two fusion energy-based technology programs.
DOE has allocated $128 million towards Fusion Innovative Research Engine (FIRE) collaboratives, according to the Wednesday press release. It also allocated $6.1 million for the Innovative Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program.
Nuclear fusion is a source of clean energy that involves fusing light nuclei to create energy and helium. Fusion could create large amounts of energy.
“Fusion power holds the promise of limitless, reliable, American-made energy—and programs like INFUSE and FIRE ensure our innovators have the tools, talent, and partnerships to make it a reality,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in the release.
According to the press release, FUSE program’s funding was awarded to seven teams dedicated to creating a fusion energy science and technology innovation network by forming centrally managed teams.
The teams selected have a goal of bridging the DOE Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program’s basic science research programs and fusion industries, DOE said.
Within the INFUSE program, DOE selected 20 projects that expedite private-sector fusion development by cutting barriers to collaboration between businesses and national laboratories or universities, according to the press release.
After the enactment of the Energy Act of 2020, DOE FES pursued the feasibility of commercial fusion energy. In partnership with the private sector, programs such as FIRE and INFUSE were implemented to carry out research for fusion, DOE said.