A Berlin-based company has unveiled what it claims to be Europe’s first full design for a commercial fusion power plant. Gauss Fusion introduced its Conceptual Design Report (CDR) – a comprehensive conceptual blueprint for its commercial fusion power plant, GIGA.
The design is claimed to define long-term cost and schedule targets within an order of magnitude range. Image: Gauss Fusion.
This step is crucial to shift from fusion research to reality. Comprising over one thousand pages of technical detail, the CDR addresses all critical systems required to build the first fusion power plant – from overall architecture, design basis, and design concept, to safety framework, qualification strategy, system engineering, lifecycle operations and radioactive waste considerations, among others.
Blueprint for Europe’s first generation of fusion power plants
“Our Conceptual Design Report is the culmination of three years of work to turn the promise of fusion into GIGA – a credible and practical, concept-level power plant design,” said Milena Roveda, CEO, Gauss Fusion.
The design is claimed to demonstrate that Europe’s industry has the capabilities needed to move from vision to engineering reality.
“The CDR brings together the know-how of hundreds of specialists across Europe and proves that the technologies, materials and supply chains required for fusion are within reach. The next step is to advance from concept to detailed engineering – turning this design into an industrial blueprint for Europe’s first generation of fusion power plants,” added Roveda.
A cost and schedule framework of first commercial fusion power plant
The company highlighted that the CDR establishes a cost and schedule framework of the first commercial fusion power plant.
The design is claimed to define long-term cost and schedule targets within an order of magnitude range, reflecting uncertainties of first-of-a-kind technologies.
This exercise results in €15-18bn to bring the first-of-a-kind commercial fusion reactor by mid-2040s (2025 estimate). Right from the outset, Gauss Fusion aims to implement a world-class project performance approach, follow established best practices in project management with proactive risk and opportunity management, and use key performance indicators to systemically improve project outcomes, according to a press release.
Design tackles toughest industrial challenges
“The Conceptual Design Report tackles the toughest industrial challenges that stand between fusion science and fusion power. From developing a closed tritium fuel cycle, to mastering the use of advanced superconducting magnets and materials capable of withstanding extreme thermal and neutron loads,” said Frédérick Bordry, CTO, Gauss Fusion.
“Overcoming each of these challenges is vital for making fusion not just technically achievable, but commercially viable. Solving them will define who leads the global fusion race and whether Europe secures true energy sovereignty for generations to come.”
The report also crystalises Gauss Fusion’s vision of a ‘Eurofighter for Fusion’ – a pan-European programme that combines industrial know-how, national investments and supply-chain capacity to deliver energy sovereignty for Europe, as per the release.