The race for the energy source of the future is accelerating, and Germany is aiming to take the lead. German startup Focused Energy, based in Darmstadt, aims to become a global leader in the construction of laser fusion power plants. The development of fusion energy is a priority on the high-tech agenda of Germany and the European Union.

Principle of Operation and Fuel

Focused Energy technology is based on the use of lasers to achieve the conditions necessary for thermonuclear fusion. Tiny, 4 mm diameter pellets containing hydrogen isotopes are used as fuel. These pellets are directed into a reactor, where powerful short-pulse lasers compress them to extreme pressures and temperatures. This process allows for the release of a huge amount of energy even with a minimal amount of fuel. According to company representatives, repeating this process ten times per second can power a large power plant.

The key advantage of this technology is the use of water as the primary fuel, with all necessary components for the reaction generated directly within the reactor. This makes the process completely free of CO2 emissions and independent of geopolitical issues related to energy resource imports.

Construction and Plans

The world's first laser fusion power plant is currently under construction on the grounds of the decommissioned Biblis Nuclear Power Plant. The company plans to present a laser fusion reactor demonstrator in Biblis in 5 years, build a pilot power plant in 10 years, and in 15 years – the world's first commercially competitive laser fusion power plant.

The pilot power plant in Biblis will be capable of producing 1 gigawatt of electricity, which is enough to supply approximately 2 million households.

The Energy Mix of the Future

By 2050, a significant increase in the share of renewable energy sources is expected, however, this growth will not be able to fully satisfy the growing global energy demand. Fusion power plants are considered a promising replacement for coal and fission-based nuclear power plants. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to decarbonize aviation, industry, heating, and shipping, which creates an even greater demand for new energy sources.

Investment and Infrastructure

German energy company RWE, one of Europe's largest energy conglomerates and owner of the Biblis Nuclear Power Plant, has invested 60 million euros in the startup Focused Energy. The startup's total funding raised amounts to 240 million dollars.

The choice of the Biblis site is due to the availability of developed infrastructure, including grid connection and buildings suitable for the project's needs. It is planned that the pilot power plant will be built in the former reactor unit A.

Technological Challenges and Criticism

Despite the developers' optimism, critics point to the immaturity of the technology and its high cost. Focused Energy, however, is confident in the competitiveness of laser fusion compared to traditional nuclear power and renewable sources.

Currently, the first laser neutron facility is being built at the Biblis site, which will be used for experiments in the field of nuclear fusion. This facility will also be able to conduct material testing by illuminating objects and determining their internal composition, which is valuable for testing components of future fusion reactors.

The startup was founded in 2021 by scientists from the Darmstadt University of Technology. The company has the world's largest laboratory for producing fuel for laser fusion.

Target Production

To achieve thermonuclear fusion, it is necessary to precisely deliver millions of miniature spheres filled with hydrogen isotopes to the center of the reactor. At Focused Energy Laboratory, work is underway to create technologies for the mass production of such targets, including the use of robotics for simultaneous scanning of a large number of targets. Each miniature sphere must be perfect both inside and out. Kordian Tum controls quality using advanced European-made lenses, glass, and microscopes. An X-ray microscope is used to examine the internal structure of the spheres without damaging them.

Safety and Waste

Compared to nuclear power, laser fusion does not carry the risk of an uncontrolled chain reaction, and the radioactive waste has a shorter half-life. Nevertheless, the inner wall of the reactor requires replacement every two years. Developers claim that the use of special, low-activation steels allows for a reduction in the activation period to 60-80 years, which does not pose a significant problem.

Europe's Competitiveness

Europe, according to Focused Energy, holds leading positions in photonics, laser, and optical technologies. The European glass industry and manufacturers of lasers and optics play a key role in global microelectronics research and production.

Researcher Motivation

Employees at Focused Energy note that they are attracted by the opportunity to work on a complex but meaningful project that can change the world. They see fusion energy as a solution to global problems such as food shortages, climate change, and providing energy for all.