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Google has made its maiden investment in the field of fusion energy, partnering with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) to secure a significant portion of the company’s output from its upcoming commercial power plant. The collaboration marks a crucial milestone in the tech giant’s efforts to reduce its reliance on traditional renewable sources and transition towards cleaner forms of energy.
In the agreement, Google will acquire 200 megawatts of electricity from CFS’ Arc power plant, scheduled for completion in the early 2030s. This deal also comes with a substantial investment in an unannounced funding round for CFS. Mumgaard, co-founder and CEO at CFS, emphasized that this partnership is a testament to the growing demand for innovative energy solutions. “This investment allows us to accelerate some of our R&D efforts, which will enable us to bring Arc online even faster,” he stated.
Fusion power has gained significant traction in recent years as a promising alternative to traditional renewable sources such as solar and wind. The technology’s potential to provide clean, firm energy has garnered attention from major corporations like Google, who are actively seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
Google has been busy expanding its portfolio of renewable energy options, with the company securing 8 gigawatts of renewable power in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year. However, as Terrell, Google’s head of advanced energy, pointed out that while solar and wind have made strides, they are not suitable solutions for all regions.
“We need to think creatively about how we can achieve high penetration levels of carbon-free energy,” he emphasized. “Fusion actually brings down the cost of achieving those penetrations.”
CFS CEO Bob Mumgaard is confident in his company’s ability to deliver power to Google within a decade, which could trigger a surge in demand for fusion technology. “You can run it 24/7 without dependence on geography or weather conditions,” he explained.
If successful, this partnership could pave the way for other corporations to follow suit and invest in innovative energy solutions.
Source: techcrunch.com
