US grants fusion firm $85M for reactor electronics

The U.S. Department of Commerce awarded $85 million to Commonwealth Fusion Systems on Thursday. The funds, drawn from the CHIPS Act, are designated for the development of advanced semiconductors tailored to the fusion power industry. In exchange for the grant, the federal government acquired a stake in the company.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems plans to use the capital to expand its manufacturing capacity and research efforts within the United States. The company is currently preparing to activate its Sparc reactor next year. While a single machine serves as a proof of concept, the firm aims to build dozens of commercial plants. That goal requires more durable power electronics and a reliable domestic supply chain to support large-scale operations.

The award supports five specific technical initiatives. The first focuses on silicon carbide power electronics. These components manage high voltages and are already used in electric vehicles, data centers, and cell phone base stations. In fusion reactors, they drive the superconducting magnets necessary to confine plasma.

The remaining projects target specific hardware needs for reactor operation. The company will develop next-generation radio-frequency power generators used to heat fusion fuel. It will also work on advanced electronics that allow for faster reactor control. These components are designed to withstand radiation, a feature the company says will extend component lifespan and lower long-term operating costs.

The final initiative involves adapting artificial intelligence hardware, including GPUs and TPUs, for use in power plant infrastructure. Brandon Sorbom, co-founder and chief science officer at CFS, noted that the funding will improve the U.S. chip and power electronics industries. He stated that this support also accelerates fusion energy's progress toward the electrical grid.

The timing of the award coincides with a period where fusion startups are racing to complete their first demonstration machines. Sorbom wrote in a company blog post that the investment leads to a more capable and economical power plant. He emphasized that the project strengthens the U.S. supply chain required to build these facilities.