Episode 57: $10 billion and the Universe’s Most Powerful Energy Source: Fusion

Why have the biggest names (such as Bill Gates, Lowercarbon Capital, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Google and Sam Altman) put billions into dozens of fusion energy companies? An engaging, accessible discussion with Dr. Scott Hsu on the fascinating world and private company ecosystem of the fusion energy. Scott was with with the DOE where he helped allocate $100MM of fusion R&D investment. He is now Partner at Lowercarbon Capital. We explore the fundamentals of fusion, compare magnetic and inertial confinement methods, and discuss innovative companies like Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Pacific Fusion, Thea Energy, Xcimer and Avalanche Energy. Scott explains why there’s new hope for making fusion commercially viable in the coming years. He highlights the challenges and opportunities in building the necessary infrastructure.

00:00 Introduction

01:42 Scott’s Background and Career

02:39 Lowercarbon Capital and Fusion Investments

10:42 Fusion Basics and Scientific Principles

19:57 Magnetic and Inertial Fusion Approaches

22:52 Understanding the Magnetic Confinement (Commonwealth, Thea)

23:35 Challenges of Plasma Confinement

25:31 Innovations in Modern Tokamaks

29:17 Exploring Alternative Fusion Devices (Pacific Fusion, Avalanche)

32:40 Laser Inertial Confinement Fusion (Xcimer)

41:26 Future of Fusion Energy

Ancient Empires: Cain & Abel (Hebrew/Greek, 3rd c. BCE), Umisachi & Yamasachi (Japan, 712 CE)