WASHINGTON, D.C. – A panel of nuclear fusion experts urged a subcommittee of the House Science Committee Thursday to support a major investment in nuclear fusion in order to keep up with China.
During the House Science Subcommittee on Energy hearing, the panel heard testimony from Oak Ridge National Laboratory director of fusion energy division Troy Carter, Pacific Fusion co-founder and president Will Regan, Commonwealth Fusion Systems co-founder and CEO Bob Mumgaard and University of Wisconsin-Madison assistant professor Stephanie Diem.
Mumgaard said that the United States is at a crucial point with fusion energy technology as it is transitioning from science and research to demonstration and soon commercialization.
However, Mumgaard said the country is not in a position to win against China due to a lack of a coordinated effort between the fusion industry and government and governmental funding.
Mumgaard mentioned a study by the Special Competitive Studies Project that found China has invested $6.5 billion dollars in new fusion facilities since the National Ignition Facility achieved fusion ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 2022.
The amount has been three times more than the United States has invested into fusion between late 2022 to now, according to the study. Additionally, China is aiming to have its first fusion plant online by 2031 or sooner, Regan said.
The Fusion Industry Association and the Special Competitive Studies Project fusion commission are calling on the U.S. government to make a one-time $10 billion investment to get fusion research and demonstration moving fast, Mumgaard said.
Many of the representatives questioned the panel on how the hypothetical $10 billion would be spent on fusion. Mumgaard recommended creating a demonstration program for fusion. Carter said investing into new testing facilities would help de-risk a pilot program.
Adding to Mumgaard’s answer, Carter also said supply chain and workforce demands could be addressed with the funding. To build up the workforce for future fusion plants, Diem said universities could play a large role in filling through apprenticeships.
“So, an infusion of funds would allow us to build partnerships with community colleges and national labs and other fusion facilities to provide hands-on training for this,” Diem said in response to a question from Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas).
During the hearing, Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) said he found the panel’s testimony “a little bit distressing.” The United States is investing a lot of funds into research for fusion but is still behind in the race with China.
While China is not a leader in innovation like the United States, but when it comes to putting a large financial investment, China’s centralized control system allows for fast mobilization, Mumgaard said
“That’s the playbook [for China, to move] hard and fast the minute the window opens,” Mumgaard said to Harrigan. “We [the United States] are still debating if the window is open and that’s to our detriment.”
Carter and Regan said the United States is not behind in the fusion race, but the country needs to execute on it soon.