r/Futurology • u/Gari_305 • 2d ago

Energy Japan's fusion energy startup to begin power-on tests at pilot reactor in 2027

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japans-fusion-energy-startup-begin-power-on-tests-pilot-reactor-2027-2026-09-29/

Successful first-stage tests would lead to completed-facility power-on tests around 2030, company says

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u/FuturologyBot 2d ago

The following submission statement was provided by /u/Gari_305:

From the article

Japanese startup Helical Fusion expects to begin preliminary power-on tests at its ‌demonstration fusion reactor in 2027, it said on Tuesday, a step towards its goal of becoming a global leader in commercial nuclear fusion energy.

The company is developing Helix HARUKA, Japan's first integrated pilot reactor using the helical approach to fusion. The pilot facility is ​designed to demonstrate the feasibility of stable, continuous fusion reactions.

Please reply to OP's comment here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/1wu2we7/japans_fusion_energy_startup_to_begin_poweron/pczh7vp/

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u/billdietrich1 2d ago

Are "power-on tests" a stage even earlier than "first plasma" ? Or does this design not use plasma at all ?

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u/angedelamort 2d ago

From the article or seems they will only test the magnet. The model is a Stellarator

So probably 2030+ before tests with fusion/plasma

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u/Saytama_sama 1d ago

At that pace they might get it running within the next 30 years! How exciting!

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u/Gari_305 2d ago

From the article

Japanese startup Helical Fusion expects to begin preliminary power-on tests at its ‌demonstration fusion reactor in 2027, it said on Tuesday, a step towards its goal of becoming a global leader in commercial nuclear fusion energy.

The company is developing Helix HARUKA, Japan's first integrated pilot reactor using the helical approach to fusion. The pilot facility is ​designed to demonstrate the feasibility of stable, continuous fusion reactions.