Tech. Cars. Machines. 56. Dr. Scott Hsu, Fusion Partner, Lowercarbon Capital
Sep 24, 2025
Dr. Scott Hsu, a plasma physicist and fusion technology investor, shares his insights on the fusion energy landscape. He discusses the impressive investments from tech giants like Bill Gates in fusion startups and the potential for commercialization. Delving into magnetic versus inertial confinement methods, he outlines the technological advancements that bring new hope for fusion viability. Scott emphasizes the challenges of plasma confinement and infrastructure while remaining optimistic about breakthroughs that could revolutionize energy production.
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Why Scott Joined Lowercarbon
- Scott joined Lowercarbon Capital in May to focus on climate hard-tech and fusion investing.
- He noted Lowercarbon launched a dedicated fusion fund in 2022 and backs eight fusion companies.
Scott's DOE And ARPA-E Experience
- At ARPA-E Scott deployed about $100M into nearly 50 fusion projects over three years.
- He also worked at DOE HQ shaping policy and programs to accelerate fusion commercialization.
Fusion Science Is Largely Mature
- Fusion science has been understood for about a century and predates fission.
- The central challenge is controlling plasma to get more energy out than you put in, and recent milestones show progress.
