Proxima Fusion aims to build its first fusion power plant as early as the 2030s. To achieve this, the startup is relying on a so-called stellerator concept. The plasma required for the fusion reaction—a mixture of the hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium with a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius or more—is confined in a magnetic field generated by a multitude of complex electromagnets outside the plasma. This is necessary because contact with the wall of a material vessel would cause the plasma to cool too much to sustain the fusion reaction.
The magnetic field can, in principle, be arranged in various ways, leading to different reactor concepts, including the stellerator. A well-known example of this is the reactor Wendelstein 7-X, which is operated by the IPP in Greifswald. The second promising concept, the tokamak, combines simple, external electromagnets with a large current within the plasma. This solution is being used, for example, in the international research project ITER for use.
The design of stellarators is considered significantly more complex than that of tokamaks, but offers crucial advantages for a fusion power plant. For example, the steady-state reactor requires less operational effort, and the thermal stress on the material surfaces is also easier to manage. The disadvantages of the early stellarators, such as poor plasma confinement at high temperatures or high losses of fusion products, have been resolved in recent years.
“The experimental advances of W7-X and recent advances in stellarator modeling have radically changed the picture,”
explained Francesco Sciortino, Co-founder and CEO of Proxima Fusion.
“Stellarators can now overcome the main problems of tokamaks and can be significantly developed further, improving plasma stability and achieving steady-state peak power.”
Proxima Fusion is ready to “change the status quo”
Proxima Fusion's work builds on IPP's Wendelstein 7-X. The research advances enable the startup to utilize modern optimization and design tools to accelerate its timeline for fusion energy. UVC Partners, together with Plural as lead investor, is now investing €7 million in Proxima Fusion. High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and the Wilbe Group are also joining the pre-seed round.
Benjamin Erhart, General Partner at UVC Partners, says:
"In the coming years, the energy transition will be one of our most existential challenges. We already know that we need a smart mix of different energy sources. Proxima Fusion's efforts build on Germany's massive investments in stellarators. We are convinced that the team is ready to change the status quo – globally and especially in Germany and Europe, where reliable energy sources beyond wind and solar are urgently needed."
