Potential Early Markets for Fusion Energy

Abstract

We examine potential early markets for fusion energy and their projected cost targets, based on analysis and synthesis of many relevant, recent studies and reports. Seeking to provide guidance to ambitious fusion developers aspiring to enable commercial deployment before 2040, we examine cost requirements for fusion-generated electricity, process heat, and hydrogen production based on today's market prices but with various adjustments relating to possible scenarios in 2035, such as ''business-as-usual,'' high renewables penetration, and carbon pricing up to 100 $/tCO 2 . Key findings are that fusion developers should consider focusing initially on high-priced global electricity markets and consider including integrated thermal storage, depending on techno-economic factors, in order to maximize revenue and compete in markets with high renewables penetration. Process heat and hydrogen production will be tough early markets for fusion, but may open up to fusion as markets evolve and if fusion's levelized cost of electricity falls below 50 $/MWh e . Finally, we discuss potential ways for a fusion plant to increase revenue via cogeneration (e.g., desalination, direct air capture, or district heating) and to lower capital costs (e.g., by minimizing construction times and interest or by retrofitting coal plants).

Recent advances in direct air capture by adsorption

“…Moreover, using waste heat from fusion power plants to power a lowtemperature DAC was found to reduce the effective fusion levelized cost of electricity by approximately 35%. 248 7.4.4.4. Techno-economic analysis.…”

“…Because a DAC facility can provide on-site CO 2 generation anywhere, its application is advantageous in addition to its environmental benefits. Recently, the potential application of adsorption-based DAC in indoor air removal, 115,191,193,208,209 CO 2 fertilization, 178,210 biomass production, 211–215 fuel production (CH 4 , 68,70,75,216–222 methanol, 71,223–226 aviation fuel, 73,227–232 hydrocarbons 233 ), chemicals (Fischer–Tropsch process, 234,235 carbon nanotubes, 236 dimethyl carbonate, 237 syngas 238,239 ), mineralization, 240–244 storage, 245,246 enhanced oil recovery (EOR), 247 and cogeneration in power plants or chemical industries 69,248–250 has been reported.…”

Development of compact tokamak fusion reactor use cases to inform future transport studies

“…2017; Sepulveda et al. 2018; Tynan & Abdulla 2020; Handley, Slesinski & Hsu 2021). However, fusion must be able to provide timely and economically attractive solutions if it is to play a meaningful role in decarbonization of the global energy system by mid-century, or contribute to near-term energy security and independence.…”

Boosting the Ni‐Catalyzed Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of Anisole Using Scrap Catalytic Converters

“…Indeed, the sustainable, efficient, and large-scale production of electricity or hydrogen is still not fully developed, although remarkable results are daily obtained, such as in the case of fusion energy. [6][7][8][9][10] As a result, more immediate ways to reduce the excessive exploitation of fossil fuels and the consequent uncontrolled atmospheric accumulation of CO 2 are necessary. [11][12][13][14] Currently, biofuels represent the greenest alternative to petroleum derivatives, since their use does not imply the release of fossil-stored carbon dioxide.…”

“…Indeed, the sustainable, efficient, and large‐scale production of electricity or hydrogen is still not fully developed, although remarkable results are daily obtained, such as in the case of fusion energy. [ 6–10 ]…”