Artist's rendering of the laser fusion power plant. [Image: Longview Energy Fusion Systems]
Longview Fusion Energy Systems said it has inked a deal with US engineering and construction firm Fluor to design a commercial laser fusion power plant. The California-based Longview is pursuing indirect-drive laser fusion, with the stated goal of delivering power to the grid via a fusion pilot plant by the early 2030s. In a press release, Longview called the partnership with Fluor a “significant step forward” in the commercialization of fusion energy.
The indirect approach
In late 2022, the National Ignition Facility (NIF) of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), USA, demonstrated the first-ever successful fusion ignition—the production of more energy from fusion than the laser energy used to drive the reaction. The landmark NIF experiment used the indirect-drive method of laser fusion. That method involves directing lasers at a hohlraum, or cylindrical cavity made of heavy metal, to produce X-rays that fill the cavity and implode a fuel pellet held inside.
While some scientists are exploring the conceptually simpler direct drive technique, in which the lasers are trained directly at the fuel capsule, Longview says that using the “proven approach” of the NIF method will allow it to go straight to the marketplace without the need to build a physics demonstration facility, thereby speeding up commercialization.
“We are building on the success of the NIF,” said Valerie Roberts, Longview’s chief operating officer and former NIF construction/project manager. “But the Longview plant will use today’s far more efficient and powerful lasers and utilize additive manufacturing and optimization through AI.” The company is also collaborating with LLNL as a member of the US Department of Energy’s STARFIRE (Science and Technology Accelerated Research for Fusion Innovation and Reactor Engineering) hub, which is looking to accelerate development of fusion technologies.
First steps in an ambitious plan
Longview unveiled its roadmap for building a laser fusion power plant in December 2022 alongside the announcement of the NIF ignition. The company has an ambitious timeline, aiming to construct a working pilot plant by the early 2030s and to achieve global market penetration, providing “worldwide low-carbon energy,” between 2030 and 2050.
Longview has an ambitious timeline, aiming to construct a working pilot plant by the early 2030s and to achieve global market penetration between 2030 and 2050.
In April 2023, Longview signed an initial memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Fluor to serve as its engineering and construction partner. Under the MOU, Fluor agreed to “leverage its global experience in developing and constructing complex, large-scale facilities to provide preliminary design and engineering to support the development of Longview’s fusion-powered plant.”
At the time, Tom D’Agostino, group president of Fluor’s Mission Solutions business, said, “We look forward to working with Longview on the mission to demonstrate the feasibility of laser fusion technology and deliver it to the commercial market.”
Toward commercial power
The newly signed contract with Fluor will solidify the partnership between the two companies and push forward the plans for initial design and construction of the pilot plant. According to Longview, its fusion power plant will produce 1000 to 1600 MW at full capacity—enough power to cover the needs of a small city, or provide process heat or power to drive industrial production of the materials needed for operational necessities like steel, fertilizer and hydrogen fuel.
“Laser fusion energy gain has been demonstrated many times over the last 15 months, and the scientific community has verified these successes,” said Edward Moses, Longview’s CEO and former director of NIF. “Now is the time to focus on making this new carbon-free, safe and abundant energy source available to the nation as soon as possible.”