Germany announces funding for three national fusion hubs

The three selected hubs will focus on distinct technological areas:

VEGA

Dedicated to laser fusion and coordinated by Marvel Fusion and Focused Energy, this hub will be based at RWE’s former Biblis nuclear power plant in Hesse and aims to consolidate German expertise in photonics, optics, laser technology, and the development and manufacturing of targets. Targets are small spheres or cylinders containing the fusion fuel. These technologies will be used to develop application-oriented fusion technologies.

STRIDE

This hub will focus on magnetic fusion, with a specific focus on stellarator technology. Coordinated by Proxima Fusion, Gauss Fusion, and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, the hub aims to facilitate the translation of scientific findings into industrial developments.

MAT-TRIX

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology will coordinate this hub, which will focus on the intersection of fuel cycles and materials development.

These include (but are not limited to), the production and handling of the fusion fuel tritium, the development of so-called breeding blankets, and materials that can withstand the extreme conditions in a fusion power plant over the long term. Breeding blankets are components in future fusion reactors in which the fusion fuel tritium is produced from lithium.

The partners will initially create joint structures for their collaboration. These include plans for research and development, the management of intellectual property, and the recruitment of skilled personnel.

There will be future opportunities for fusion research and investment

Further companies, research institutions and stakeholders from the high-tech industry, value chains and supply chains are expected to be involved.

The BMFTR mentioned that it already funds research projects in laser and magnetic fusion, the development of new research infrastructures, and junior research groups.

The new hubs will complement these measures, the BMFTR continued, by structuring the technology fields, pooling activities, and establishing lasting networks between research and industry.

As the next step, the BMFTR is planning milestone-based financing, which will particularly support application-oriented developments by involved companies.

“Fusion has enormous potential to secure the energy supply of the future – clean, safe, and always available. Germany is excellently positioned in fusion research, has promising start-ups, and can become a global pioneer,” said Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space Dorothee Bär.

“It has great value creation potential for Germany as a business and innovation hub. Our goal is therefore clear: The first fusion power plant should be located in Germany. With the three fusion hubs, we are now combining entrepreneurial ambition and scientific expertise. This will accelerate the development of new fusion technologies and ensure better knowledge transfer. The federal and state governments are working hand in hand to develop the hubs into strong locations for fusion research and technology in the long term.”