Fusion Power Developer Commonwealth Seeks US Grid Connection

Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a company backed by Bill Gates and venture capitalist John Doerr, is seeking permission to connect what may be the world’s first commercial fusion power plant to the biggest US electric grid.

Fusion systems, which are intended to tap the energy of the stars, have long tantalized the energy industry. While the technology offers potential abundant carbon-free power — and at a time of surging electric demand from data centers — it’s unproven at scale and there are technical challenges such as managing the extreme heat required that need to be addressed.