Type One Energy & TVA Partner on First Fusion Power Plant
In a major step toward the commercialization of fusion energy, Type One Energy has signed a Cooperative Agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to jointly explore and develop plans for a potential fusion power plant in the Tennessee Valley region. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the fusion industry, leveraging Type One Energy’s stellarator fusion power technology to establish a cutting-edge 350 MWe fusion pilot power plant named Infinity Two. With aspirations to bring Infinity Two online as early as the mid-2030s, the project aims to provide a stable and sustainable source of base-load electricity for the region.
Beyond constructing a new fusion power plant, Infinity Two has the potential to repurpose existing infrastructure from retired TVA fossil fuel plants, further reinforcing energy security and reliability. The Cooperative Agreement expands on Project Infinity, which was initially launched in early 2024 through a collaboration between Type One Energy, TVA, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), with support from the state of Tennessee. Project Infinity initially focused on deploying Type One Energy’s Infinity One stellarator prototype at TVA’s Bull Run power plant, but it has since evolved into a broader initiative aimed at accelerating the commercialization of fusion energy.
Under this agreement, TVA and Type One Energy will work together on various aspects of Infinity Two, including site selection, environmental assessments, regulatory licensing, project planning, and securing funding from multiple sources. Type One Energy will also assist TVA in evaluating the feasibility and impact of the project, ensuring that fusion power can be integrated seamlessly into the existing energy infrastructure.
“Unleashing America’s energy potential will take all forms of generation including fusion,” said Joe Hoagland, TVA’s 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.”
A key aspect of the Cooperative Agreement is the connection between TVA and Type One Energy’s use of TVA’s Power Service Shops (PSS) in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Through this partnership, Type One Energy will have access to modular manufacturing and assembly capabilities for its stellarator fusion power plants. This arrangement will also support TVA’s long-term interest in the scalability of fusion energy, allowing it to benefit from the successful deployment of Infinity Two and the future growth of fusion technology.
Project Infinity is not only focused on technological development but also on workforce training and community engagement. The initiative will cultivate a new generation of engineers and technicians skilled in fusion energy, preparing them to assemble, operate, and maintain stellarator fusion power plants. The Infinity One prototype, which operates 24/7 in a power-plant-relevant environment, will serve as a critical training platform for future energy professionals. With its long history of innovation and energy deployment, the Tennessee Valley is well-positioned to support this workforce transition, creating jobs and investment opportunities while enhancing regional energy security.
“We are fortunate indeed to work together with an energy company like TVA,” said Christofer Mowry, CEO of Type One Energy. “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.”
This collaboration underscores Type One Energy’s strategy of leveraging established expertise within the global energy sector to minimize commercialization risks. By avoiding the challenges of vertical integration, the company can focus on its core technological advancements while relying on partners like TVA for infrastructure and operational expertise. The agreement aligns with TVA’s broader mission to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and resilient power to its customers through the development and deployment of innovative energy solutions.
Type One Energy’s approach is further reinforced by its recently announced technology licensing and manufacturing agreement with Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a leading player in the fusion industry. By combining resources and expertise, these strategic partnerships aim to accelerate the path toward viable fusion energy commercialization, ensuring that fusion power becomes a meaningful contributor to the global energy mix.
Project Infinity is a testament to the growing momentum behind fusion energy as a next-generation power source. With government support, industry partnerships, and cutting-edge technological development, the Tennessee Valley could soon become home to one of the world’s first commercial fusion power plants. If successful, Infinity Two will not only demonstrate the viability of stellarator fusion technology but also establish a model for future fusion energy deployment worldwide.
By repurposing existing fossil fuel infrastructure, creating high-value jobs, and enhancing energy security, the collaboration between Type One Energy and TVA represents a transformative shift in the way fusion energy is integrated into the power grid. With a focus on sustainability, reliability, and economic growth, Infinity Two has the potential to redefine the energy landscape for decades to come.
As fusion technology continues to advance, partnerships like this one will be critical in overcoming the remaining scientific, engineering, and economic challenges. Through sustained innovation and collaboration, fusion energy is poised to play a crucial role in the transition to a cleaner and more resilient global energy system. The Cooperative Agreement between Type One Energy and TVA is a bold step toward that future, setting the stage for fusion to become a cornerstone of 21st-century energy production.
