Fusion Energy at Idaho National Laboratory
Explore the potential of nuclear fusion—the process that powers the sun—to deliver safe, reliable and carbon-free energy using abundant fuel sources.
Overview
Fusion energy is a promising approach to generating power by replicating the process that fuels the sun, where light atomic nuclei combine to release vast amounts of energy. Fusion systems are fueled by hydrogen isotopes, which can be derived from water and other widely available resources. In addition, fusion power plants create only short-lived radioactive waste that can be easily recycled or disposed of, supporting long-term sustainability. As research moves into technology demonstration, fusion has the potential to provide a reliable, large-scale energy source for the future.
Why Fusion Matters
Fusion energy holds the promise of transforming how we power our world—delivering abundant, energy by harnessing the same process that fuels the sun.
Nuclear fusion, the process that powers our sun, offers a virtually limitless, sustainable energy source.
Fusion systems are fueled by hydrogen isotopes, which can be derived from water and other widely available resources, supporting long-term sustainability.
Fusion power plants create only short-lived radioactive waste that can be easily recycled or disposed of, supporting long-term sustainability.
INL’s Fusion Program
- Tritium processing and blanket-component testing
- Neutron irradiation of plasma-facing materials in operating fission reactors
- High-fidelity modeling through Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) fusion.
Fusion Research at INL
Idaho National Laboratory is advancing fusion energy by tackling key technical challenges needed for a future pilot plant, including tritium management, materials testing and high-fidelity modeling. By leveraging its expertise in fission systems, materials science and safety analysis, INL is helping bridge the gap between fusion research and reliable, large-scale energy production.
Test fusion-blanket materials and components in fission reactors
Use fission test reactors to irradiate fusion materials and components coupled with radioactive material characterization and tritium exposure.
Develop MOOSE-based modeling tools for fusion power plants
Leverage MOOSE capabilities for high-fidelity simulations of fusion-coupled physics.
Understand tritium interaction with fusion materials
Use a combination of experimentation and high-fidelity modeling to understand how tritium interacts with fusion materials before and after neutron irradiation.
Assess fusion power plant safety and reliability
Integrate existing tools for fusion safety analysis with risk-informed design processes developed for fission plants and high-fidelity models to support fusion power plant designs.
Demonstrate technologies for tritium processing
Establish foundational science, engineering and technology development to dramatically reduce tritium inventory in the fuel cycle.
Meet the Team
Connect with the scientists and engineers advancing fusion energy at INL.
Contact Information
Pattrick Calderoni