Thea Energy is an American fusion power company founded in 2022 after a spin-out from the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL).[1] Its original name was Princeton Stellarators, Inc (PSI). Thea Energy's approach to commercial fusion is based on the stellarator approach using a unique set of all-planar electromagnetic coils. This all-planar coil approach was developed by PPPL and licensed by Thea Energy.[2][1]
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 2022  |
| Headquarters | Branchburg, NJ , US |
Key people | Brian Berzin (CEO), David Gates (CTO) |
| Website | thea |
History
editThea Energy was founded in 2022 as Princeton Stellarators, Inc, based on technology licensed from PPPL.[1][3]
Thea Energy received two United States Department of Energy INFUSE awards in 2022[1] and one in 2023.[4]
In May 2023, Thea was one of eight companies chosen for the United States Department of Energy Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program.[5][3][2][6]
Approach
editThea Energy's approach is a variant of the stellarator in which the complex, modular electromagnetic coils are replaced by an array of small, simple, planar electromagnetic coils. This approach simplifies the design, allows for precise 3D control of the resultant magnetic field, and allows for increased access for system maintenance.[7][4][8][9]
As an intermediate step towards a fusion power plant, Thea is building Eos, a neutron source based on the same technology. Eos is intended to demonstrate the technology and generate near-term revenue.[7][9][10] It is expected to run sub-breakeven with respect to energy, but produce large numbers of neutrons for the creation of radioisotopes such as tritium and medical radioisotopes. The fuel for the neutron source will be deuterium rather than a mixture of deuterium and tritium.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory selected to collaborate with start-up that licenses its innovative technology". Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ^ a b "Eight Nuclear Fusion Companies Get a Total of $46 Million | NextBigFuture.com". 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ^ a b "Princeton Stellarators Selected for U.S. Department of Energy Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ^ a b "Thea Energy Selected for U.S. Department of Energy Public-Private Partnership Award Through the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy Program". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ^ "Princeton Stellarators, Inc., a PPPL spinoff company, receives funding through DOE's Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program". Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ^ Lindner, Linda (1 August 2023). "Princeton fusion energy firm selected for U.S. Department of Energy public-private partnership award". ROI-NJ. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ a b Princeton Innovation 2022: Stellarator fusion energy, David Gates, retrieved 2024-01-09
- ^ Gururaj, Tejasri (19 September 2023). "Is fusion energy getting any closer to reality?". interestingengineering.com. Interesting Engineering. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Fixing the Main Problems in a Scientifically Proven Nuclear Fusion Design | NextBigFuture.com". 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
- ^ Gates, David (September 26, 2023). "MIT PSFC Seminar: Thea Energy: Reinventing the Stellarator". MIT PSFC Seminars.
External links
edit- Thea Energy presentations and publications page~~
- Gates, David (December 19, 2023). "Reinventing the Stellarator, talk at the 2023 annual Fusion Power Associates meeting, Session: Pilot Plants for Fusion Power" (PDF).