The deployment of fusion energy will require robust federal support including a one-time $3bn (€2.7bn) supplemental appropriation to catch up on funding and get a start on building the infrastructure necessary to support commercialisation, the Fusion Industry Association said.
In its formal response to the US Department of Energy’s recent Request for Information on the Fusion Energy Public-Private Consortium Framework (PPCF) the FIA said there is significant precedent for one-time appropriations that support emerging energy and technologies, including the administration’s recent request of $2.2bn to produce the high-assay low-enriched uranium (Haleu) fuel needed for many advanced fission reactors.
“Whether through a consortium, public-private partnerships, or direct aid, there are no shortcuts: governments need to step up and finance fusion energy,” the FIA said.
It called for the federal government to provide incentives like grants or matching funds from the public sector directly to the private sector to incentivise collaboration on new reactor technologies.
It also said it supported DOE plans to identify new, non-federal funding sources for fusion R&D efforts.
According to the FIA, the PPCF could provide funding for pilot projects and demonstrations, reducing the risk for early adopters.
The PPCF aims to build on other initiatives within the US government’s fusion strategy, including efforts to catalyse partnerships to accelerate fusion commercialisation.
The FIA estimates that assuming non-federal matching funds exist, PPCF programmes would need an initial federal investment of at least $100m a year, with potential for growth as the programme demonstrates success.
“The DOE will need to ensure that the PPCF has room for growth and, depending on the structure of the consortia, that these funds do not end up being spread too thin,” the FIA said.
