Thread by @Fusion_Industry

At the fusion hearing, @Sen_JoeManchin starts by saying that his trip to @iterorg in March helped restore his faith in mankind. Says he’s a “changed man” after it.

[break while I got escorted in]- just heard @SenJohnBarrasso say he looks forward to hearing about private investment can accelerate fusion energy.

Now, @ScottCHsu leads off the witnesses by calling for “a greater emphasis on public-private partnerships” for fusion energy development.

And says that fusion is not just about clean energy, but about national security and space leadership.

Says that the new Milestone based development program will be announced “imminently”

Now Steve Cowley, leader of @PPPLab gives the excitement of fusion, calling it “in many ways, the perfect energy source” - but it requires “unbelievable conditions” and is hard!

The question is not whether we can do it, he says, but whether we can drive down costa to make it economical. Says we must work together with the best of government and private together. #fusion

Says recent step-changes in predictive capabilities allow for a better design and development of fusion power plants.

Looks forward to the many national labs and government programs in support for fusion, noting @SRNLab and it’s expertise in tritium and @d3dfusion for its expertise. #fusionhearing

Now, @iterorg’s Tim Luce, saying that ITER and fusion can help build world peace.

Says ITER is a prudent investment due to cost shares.

Now, Bob Mumgaard, CEO of @CFS_energy and @Fusion_Industry Board Member- asks “how do you get to fusion commercialization?”

Says fusion is “at an inflection point” as we move from the lab to the market.

US is in a race, as other countries look and compete towards fusion. They’re moving quickly, and the US is behind, but the “Bold Decadal Vision” could put it back in front.

Highlights how the @NASA COTS program was a good investment of public resources, and we can do more now.

Time for questions.

Now @Sen_JoeManchin again notes how @iterorg is such a great example of rivals from around the world working together. Asks how ITER fits commercialization timelines?

Luce says ITER will validate that fusion works. Manchin interrupts, asking what ITER could do. Manchin tries to ask why invest in private, when we’re already in ITER.

He doesn’t seem to know the difference in timescale.

Now, @SenJohnBarrasso asks about why so much private fusion money has come in, and what metrics are there?

Mumgaard says fusion is coming, and science will work.

Timescale question from @SenJohnBarrasso - what’s the timing?

How to protect fusion research from Russia & China?

China is the biggest competitor in fusion, says Cowley. But UK and Europe also coming.

Now @maziehirono - Hawaii requires vote on fission safety, so asks about safety of fusion.

Hsu says safety profile of fusion is one of it’s great benefits. But fusion needs to prove its safety.

So, could Hawaii put in a fusion plant? “We believe so” says Cowley

Now @SenBillCassidy asks ITER about differences between public and private. Why should US invest in ITER when private is racing ahead?

Really pushing this - is investment in billions into ITER good?

Now @SenatorHick says fusion “has the direct potential to change life on earth as we know it”

Asks how newer, smaller companies can get investment and lower barriers to the small @Fusion_Industry

Mumgaard says that there should be a “ladder” that doesn’t have gaps.

Asks about international competition. All say UK is doing a good job at @UKAEAofficial, and we need an energy mission. But also that China is really diving into this.

Now @SenJohnHoeven asks about “why fusion” - “Is this really going to happen?”

Hsu answers that fusion is the ideal way to get energy.

Are we going to get there? YES. “It is technologically viable but we need to get commercially viable.”

Now @SenMarkKelly asks about fuel sources and tritium. And asks about He3 from the moon.

Answer is that tritium isn’t the real input, it’s lithium, which will breed tritium in the power plant.

Asks about competition - and says he’s supportive of funding this technology.

Now @SenCortezMasto comes in to ask about mining and minerals needs for fusion.

Answer is: high quality steel, domestic lithium, and some rare earths like Yttirum and Niobium. So, it’s more a manufacturing problem, less than a resources problem.

Should we look for more of an investment? Cowley says authorizations is good- but we need appropriations to the right amount.

Now, @SenAngusKing asks “will it ever work?”

Yes.

Mumgaard says there’s a lot of indications we’re getting there.

Now King says we should work with China.

Even Luce of ITER says, though, that we need national programs.

Are we doing enough? Shouldn’t we put up more? “An international Manhattan Project?”

The private companies are working in a competitive spirit, because of the vast benefits.

Now @Sen_JoeManchin asks about spin offs- good list from all.

Speeding towards the close, what do we need to do to commercialize?

We need a milestone program. We need certainty for government investment.

Now @SenatorCantwell says commercial fusion in Seattle is important.

Do we need to get fusion qualified for tax credits?

Hope you enjoyed today's thread of the @EnergyDems, @EnergyGOP hearing on fusion energy. Read the testimony and watch a video of it through our website: fusionindustryassociation.org/post/senate-en…