Commonwealth Fusion Systems Installs Crucial Component for Fusion Reactor
On Tuesday morning, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) reached a pivotal milestone in the development of its SPARC demonstration reactor by installing a significant component, the cryostat base.
The Cryostat Base: A Key Element
This 24-foot wide, 75-ton stainless steel circle serves as the foundation for the tokamak, which is central to the fusion reactor’s operations. Manufactured in Italy, it was transported to CFS’s facility in Devens, Massachusetts, where it will play a critical role in facilitating fusion reactions.
Transitioning to a New Phase
Alex Creely, the director of tokamak operations at CFS, emphasized the significance of this installation, stating, “It is the first piece of the actual fusion machine.” After over three years of extensive construction efforts at the site, the installation marks a shift from building infrastructure to focusing on the core components of the reactor.
The Promise of Fusion Power
As one of numerous emerging startups in the field, CFS aims to harness fusion power—a clean energy source capable of producing substantial electricity from hydrogen derived from seawater. With the increased demand for energy driven by sectors such as electric vehicles and data centers, investors are looking towards fusion technology as a potential solution to future power challenges.
Future Plans and Expectations
CFS, which is financially supported by notable entities including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, is recognized as a leading contender in proving the commercial viability of fusion energy. In December, the company announced that its first full-scale commercial reactor will be constructed near Richmond, Virginia.
The SPARC reactor is projected to be operational by 2027, with the potential to be the first tokamak to generate more power than it consumes. Notably, only the National Ignition Facility (NIF) has achieved scientific break-even through controlled experiments, with the first success recorded in December 2022. Unlike NIF’s laser-based approach, CFS’s tokamak utilizes magnetic confinement to shape and compress plasma at temperatures reaching 100 million degrees Celsius.
Critical Cooling Mechanisms
To maintain the extremely low temperatures necessary for fusion, tokamaks employ superconducting magnets that must be cooled to -253 degrees Celsius using liquid helium. The cryostat base acts as an insulating layer, akin to the bottom of a thermos, ensuring that these conditions are preserved. Creely illustrated this concept by stating, “The cryostat base is basically like the bottom of the thermos.”
Installation Process
Following its arrival, the CFS team meticulously inspected the cryostat base, a process that required several days to complete. After careful unboxing and checks for shipping damage, the installation was initiated by positioning the base onto the prepared bolts on the concrete foundation, which was followed by grouting it into place.
Looking Ahead
Work on completing three additional components of the tokamak is progressing concurrently, with assembly expected in late 2023 or early 2024. Following this assembly phase, CFS will enter the commissioning process, a crucial stage that involves ensuring that all components work harmoniously, lasting several months.
As Creely stated, “This is the first of a kind. There’s not just like an on button and it turns on.” The journey toward operational fusion power continues to be a groundbreaking endeavor.
