Fusion power startup Thea Energy has secured a $20 million award from ARPA-E to manufacture modular high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, according to an announcement from the company.
In magnetic confinement reactors, powerful magnetic fields compress and contain plasma to heat fuel particles until they fuse and release energy. Thea Energy’s reactor relies on a stellarator design, which uses twisted inner-tube shapes to confine plasma more effectively. Most stellarators require expensive, custom-built magnets to mimic those complex geometry twists, driving up manufacturing expenditures.
To reduce those costs, Thea Energy uses a simplified component architecture. According to the company, its system deploys 12 large magnets built from just four different templates. Furthermore, it incorporates more than 300 smaller magnets arranged around the periphery of the reactor core in a pattern comparable to pixels on a computer display, with all of the smaller units sharing an identical design.
Software controls the smaller peripheral magnets, an approach that allows for more forgiving construction tolerances and lower overall production expenses.
The new ARPA-E grant builds on a substantial funding year for Thea Energy. In May, the startup secured a $100 million financing round, following a $20 million Series A raise in 2024. The company maintains a long-term timeline consistent with several industry peers, targeting the construction of a commercial-scale fusion power plant in the mid-2040s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a stellarator?
A stellarator is a magnetic confinement fusion reactor design shaped like a twisted inner tube.
Why are HTS magnets important for fusion?
High-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets are important components in magnetic confinement reactors, where powerful magnetic fields contain and compress plasma to heat particles until the fuel can fuse and release large amounts of energy.
What is ARPA-E?
ARPA-E is a part of the Department of Energy.
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