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Bill Gates-backed Commonwealth Fusion Systems hits key reactor construction milestone
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has reached a significant milestone in the construction of its Sparc demonstration reactor. The company announced today that it has installed the 24-foot wide, 75-ton stainless steel cryostat base, a crucial component in the development of the reactor.
The cryostat base forms the foundation of the tokamak, the doughnut-shaped heart of the fusion reactor. According to Alex Creely, director of tokamak operations at CFS, “It’s a big deal for us because it means we’re transitioning into a new stage of the project where we’re not building an industrial facility — we’re still doing that a bit — but now we’re building the actual reactor itself.”
The installation process involved unboxing and inspecting the cryostat base after its arrival, followed by several days to ensure nothing was damaged during shipping. The team then transported it to the tokamak hall, where precisely placed bolts awaited on the concrete foundation. The base was subsequently secured in place using grouting.
CFS emphasized that this is a “first-of-a-kind” moment for the company and the fusion industry as a whole. Creely explained that there isn’t an “on button” that simply activates the reactor; instead, the team will need to ensure all components are working together seamlessly during a process known as commissioning.
The construction of the Sparc demonstration reactor is a critical step towards achieving commercial-scale fusion power. Fusion has long been touted as a potential game-changer in addressing climate change, as it offers zero-carbon energy generation. The installation of this component marks significant progress for CFS and brings us one step closer to realizing the potential of this technology.
CFS will now focus on completing the remaining three major pieces of the tokamak, which are expected to be assembled simultaneously by late 2025 or early 2026.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/25/bill-gates-backed-commonwealth-fusion-systems-hits-key-reactor-construction-milestone/
