Google increased its commitment to fusion power this week by upping its stake in Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS). The internet giant announced that it will buy 200 megawatts (MW) of fusion power from the company. However, CFS is still in the process of constructing its massive ARC fusion power plant in Virginia, according to NBC News. CFS plans to have the first ARC ready in the early 2030s, which means Google is taking the long view with its purchase.
Although Google won’t have access to the power it’s buying for more than five years, making the purchase now is in Google’s interest. The move both helps CFS on its path to a functioning fusion power generator and gets Google’s foot in the door once CFS meets with success.
“Fusion power is within our grasp thanks in part to forward-thinking partners like Google, a recognized technology pioneer across industries, said Bob Mumgaard, CEO and Co-founder of CFS, in a statement. “Our strategic deal with Google is the first of many as we move to demonstrate fusion energy from SPARC and then bring our first power plant online.”
Mumgaard went on to add that ARC’s fusion power could “enable what will be the largest market transition in history.”
Credit: Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Once completed, the ARC could deliver 400MW of electricity and will likely be connected to the power grid in Chesterfield County, Virginia. CFS is in the process of building SPARC, a smaller proof-of-concept system. If CFS succeeds in developing SPARC over the next several years, it will have a blueprint for building a much larger power plant in ARC. The investment from Google seems meant to help CFS develop its SPARC and ARC systems.
“By entering into this agreement with CFS, we hope to help prove out and scale a promising pathway toward commercial fusion power,” said Michael Terrell, Head of Advanced Energy at Google. “We’re excited to make this longer-term bet on a technology with transformative potential to meet the world’s future energy demand, and support CFS in their efforts to reach the scientific and engineering milestones needed to get there.”
Google isn’t putting all of its fusion energy bags in one basket, though. The company also recently gave another financial shot in the arm to TAE Technologies, which is using AI to improve its fusion project. Google has been investing in the company since 2015.