New DOE Fusion Head Sketches Out Vision

DOE Fusion Energy Sciences program head Jean Paul Allain speaks at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab in October 2023.
(Michael Livingston / PPPL)
Jean Paul Allain, who took the helm of the Department of Energy’s fusion program last summer, detailed his priorities in a presentation
Allain said the program will push to expand collaborations between academia and industry, including through new Fusion Innovation Research Engine (FIRE) Centers focused on “use-inspired, use-defined” research that addresses key gaps in fusion materials and technology development relevant to building a pilot fusion power plant.
Stressing the increasing global interest in the field, Allain estimated that China is spending roughly $1.5 billion a year on fusion energy and is taking actions along the lines of those proposed in the U.S.’ own long-range plan
Allain noted DOE has asked
Among other actions, Allain said he intends to launch a New Emergent Plasma Concepts program to explore potential alternatives to the tokamak approach to fusion and to establish Plasma Frontier Research Centers focused on advancing fundamental plasma science and exploring ways to apply plasmas “in every part of life.”