Nuked 
Hello, tech enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of fusion power and a remarkable development from Renaissance Fusion.
Fusion power startups have faced a persistent question: can this groundbreaking technology truly deliver results? Recent advancements in net-positive fusion power have formed a solid foundation, leading to questions about reducing costs and simplifying maintenance.
Francesco Volpe, the innovative founder and CTO of Renaissance Fusion, has devoted decades to fusion research. Drawing from diverse inspirations, he has developed a unique design that has piqued the interest of investors.
Recently, Renaissance Fusion secured a notable €32 million in Series A1 funding, primarily from the Crédit Mutuel Impact’s Révolution Environnementale et Solidaire fund. This financial boost is set to propel the startup towards building a demonstrator that will validate its novel reactor design.
The elegance of fusion power lies in its potential to provide clean electricity from abundant fuel sources. Most startups explore either inertial confinement or magnetic confinement, with Renaissance opting for the latter, specifically through a twisty design known as stellarator.
While stellarators show promise, their complex magnets present manufacturing challenges. However, Renaissance aims to simplify this design and offers a refreshing take on the traditional approach.
One fascinating aspect of their design is the segmented tube structure, inspired by previous research. Rather than approximate shapes, they are crafted into precise cylinders, enhancing the efficiency of the plasma containment.
To maintain the plasma’s stability, Volpe draws on previous work that utilizes 3D-printed scaffolds, innovating further by flattening complex three-dimensional magnets into more manageable shapes.
Additional measures include a liquid lithium layer that enhances protection against neutron bombardment, which also helps in the creation of more reactor fuel and in transferring heat for energy production.
Renaissance’s future looks bright, with plans to produce wide HTS ‘carpets’ and integrate them into a demonstrator by the end of 2026. Volpe is optimistic about having a complete stellarator assembled by the early 2030s, paving the path for a new era in fusion power.
