Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Type One Energy have signed a Cooperative Agreement to develop plans for Infinity Two, a 350 MWe fusion pilot power plant that could be operational as early as the mid-2030s. This agreement represents a pivotal moment in the commercialization of fusion energy, with the potential to repurpose retired fossil fuel infrastructure and deliver a reliable, carbon-free energy source to the region.

The Cooperative Agreement expands on Project Infinity, first launched by Type One Energy, TVA, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in early 2024, with support from the State of Tennessee (see teknovation.biz article here). Type One was also the first recipient of funding under the new Tennessee Nuclear Energy Fund.

“We are fortunate indeed to work together with an energy company like TVA,” said Christofer Mowry, Type One Energy’s Chief Executive Officer. “TVA brings us best-in-class power plant operations, maintenance, engineering, licensing, and even project planning and construction capabilities, all skills critical to success that we now don’t need to try and recreate. Instead, we can focus on completing the design of Infinity Two and testing it with the Infinity One prototype in TVA’s Bull Run plant. The ability for us to focus on developing and delivering the core stellarator technology materially derisks our path to fusion power plant commercialization.

Originally centered on deploying the Type One Energy Infinity One stellarator prototype in TVA’s Bull Run power plant, Project Infinity now encompasses a deeper, broader engagement toward the commercialization of fusion energy. TVA and Type One Energy will collaborate on Infinity Two fusion power plant siting studies, environmental reviews, and licensing, as well as development of project plans and financing from various sources. Type One Energy will support TVA in its evaluation and review of the project.

“Unleashing America’s energy potential will take all forms of generation including fusion,” said Joe Hoagland, TVA Vice President of Innovation and Research. “Energy security is national security, and we are focused on developing a technology, supply chain, and delivery model to build an industry that can power America and the world.”

Consistent with these TVA goals, the scope of this Cooperative Agreement links with a separate arrangement between the parties to access the capabilities of TVA’s Power Service Shops (PSS) in Muscle Shoals, AL. The PSS relationship enables Type One Energy to continue shaping its supply chain for stellarator fusion power plants, with PSS supporting modular manufacturing and assembly of Infinity Two. Importantly, this arrangement would also enable TVA to benefit from the subsequent scaling of fusion energy on a global basis, following the successful deployment of Infinity Two.

Project Infinity also now includes a commitment to workforce development, cultivating the skills and knowledge to assemble, operate, and maintain fusion stellarators. This critical skills-building and knowledge transfer will be enabled by the unique, power plant relevant, 24/7 performance capability of the Infinity One prototype.

According to the announcement, there are several important points about the Cooperative Agreement:

1. A First-of-its-Kind Partnership: This milestone collaboration merges TVA’s power plant expertise with Type One Energy’s stellarator fusion technology, building on Project Infinity, which counts with the support of the State of Tennessee.
2. Fusion Energy’s Commercialization Breakthrough: Infinity Two is not just a pilot plant, it’s a blueprint for the future of fusion energy. By leveraging the TVA Power Service Shops’ capabilities for modular manufacturing and assembly, the project is paving the way for scalable, cost-effective fusion power plants worldwide.
3. Transforming the Workforce and the Region: Historically reliant on fossil fuels, the Tennessee Valley is now poised to become a hub for fusion energy. Project Infinity is building a skilled workforce to support commercial fusion energy, equipping Tennessee with the talent needed to assemble, operate, and maintain stellarators.

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