Fusion Energy: A paradigm shift in power generation for Europe?

1. Introduction 6
2. Fusion basics 8
    2.1. Fuels 8
    2.2. Reactor design 9
    2.3. Net energy gain 10
3. The path to fusion 10
    3.1. Current outlook 10
    3.2. Scaling fusion energy 15
4. Key challenges 16
    4.1. Technical performance 16
    4.2. Hardware challenges 18
    4.3. Lifecycle issues 18
    4.4. Construction challenges and skills 18
    4.5. Regulatory environment 19
    4.6. Funding and economic viability 19
5. Policy considerations 20
    5.1. EU fusion policy 20
    5.2. EU fusion policy issues 23
        Strategic direction and technology diversity 23
        Governance, regulation, and public-private partnerships 24
        Financing and industrial development 24
        Skills, talent, and research capacity 25
        Public acceptance and ethics 25
        Fusion energy: A paradigm shift in power generation for Europe?
        Sustainability, cost, and market integration 25
6. Way forward 26
7. Conclusion 27

List of figures
Figure 1 – Geographical global investment in private fusion start-ups (€) 11
Figure 2 – Global investment in the private fusion sector 13

List of tables
Table 1 – Organisations working on fusion energy 13
Table 2 – Key stakeholders in the EU fusion energy sector 22
Table 3 – Possible action that could help translate these goals into policy 26