Bob Mumgaard, Co-founder and CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, discusses his background in plasma physics, the challenges of establishing a fusion energy company, and the urgent need for a 10x shift in energy to achieve zero carbon emissions. The podcast also explores the history and advancements in fusion technology, influential founders and startups, unappreciated advancements in science and technology, and the importance of philanthropy and adaptation in a rapidly changing world.
Fusion energy has the potential to revolutionize the energy sector by providing unlimited clean energy.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is focused on developing smaller, more efficient, and commercially viable fusion machines.
Collaboration and optimism are crucial in accelerating the deployment of fusion technology to create a sustainable future.
Deep dives
The Potential of Fusion Energy
Fusion energy is a promising technology that has the potential to revolutionize the energy sector. It offers the ability to generate unlimited energy by harnessing the power of fusion, the same process that powers the stars. With fusion, a machine can be built that produces more power than it consumes, providing a clean and abundant source of energy. While fusion has often been seen as science fiction, recent advancements and investments have brought it closer to becoming a practical reality. Companies like Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) are at the forefront of this development, working on building fusion machines that are smaller, more efficient, and economical.
The History and Challenges of Fusion
The pursuit of fusion energy started more than 100 years ago when scientists like Arthur Eddington postulated the idea of harnessing fusion to generate power. Since then, significant progress has been made in understanding fusion and developing the necessary technologies. However, challenges remain, and fusion has been seen as a side pursuit compared to other energy sources like fossil fuels and fission. Current efforts, such as the construction of ITER in France, aim to demonstrate fusion's feasibility by producing more power than it takes to run. Companies like CFS are also pushing the boundaries of fusion technology, developing new materials and design approaches to make fusion machines smaller, more cost-effective, and commercially viable.
CFS's Path to Commercial Fusion Energy
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is focused on bringing fusion energy from the realm of theory into commercial reality. Their approach involves leveraging high magnetic fields and advanced superconducting materials to create smaller and more efficient fusion machines. CFS is currently on the path to demonstrating net energy gain, the point at which the fusion machine produces more power than it consumes. This milestone is expected to be achieved in the near future with the completion of their first demonstration coil. Following this achievement, CFS plans to build the first commercial fusion plant that can be plugged into the grid, delivering clean and abundant energy to meet the world's power needs.
The Potential Impact of Fusion Energy
Fusion energy has the potential to be a game-changer in the global energy transition. With its ability to provide unlimited clean energy, fusion could address climate change, eliminate dependence on finite fuel sources, and meet the growing energy demands of the modern world. The scalability and commercial viability of fusion make it an attractive option for large-scale power generation. Fusion plants, once operational, could be built in locations currently reliant on fossil fuels, enabling a rapid shift to clean energy without compromising energy access. The development of fusion technology, led by companies like CFS, holds the promise of a sustainable and prosperous future.
The Need for Collaboration and Optimism
As the world faces the urgent challenge of transitioning to clean energy, collaboration and optimism are crucial. The fusion energy community, including entrepreneurs, policymakers, and finance experts, must come together to accelerate the deployment of fusion technology. By fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose, the path to fusion energy can be paved more quickly. The fusion journey is not without its challenges, but with innovation, cooperation, and a focus on the common goal of a sustainable future, fusion can become a reality. It is essential to seize the opportunity that fusion presents and work towards a world powered by unlimited, clean energy.
“We’re building a machine we call Spark, where you show up and you push a button. This thing turns on and it makes hundreds of megawatts of thermal energy from effectively nothing.” -Bob Mumgaard, Co-founder and CEO, Commonwealth Fusion Systems.
Bob Mumgaard is Co-founder and CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems (@CFS_energy), where Bob leads the strategic vision for the company. He received his PhD in plasma physics at MIT, focusing his work on developing techniques to measure the magnetic field inside tokamak plasmas. During this time, Bob contributed to the design of several small tokamaks using high temperature superconductors (HTS). Bob’s work has focused on strategies to leverage the collaboration of private finance and traditional academic resources to speed the path to commercial fusion energy.
