Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and US fusion start-up Stellarex have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the development and deployment of fusion energy in Ontario. OPG and Stellarex – a spinout from Princeton University – will explore establishing a centre of excellence for fusion energy in Ontario. They will also work together to identify potential future siting and deployment of a stellarator fusion energy device in the province.
Stellarex, founded in 2022, includes experts from Princeton University. Professor Amitava Bhattacharjee, President & Chief Science Officer is a former Professor of Astrophysical Sciences and Head of the Theory Department at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). Dr Mike Zarnstorff, Chief Technology Officer of Stellarex was formerly Chief Scientist at PPPL. The company is applying the stellarator approach, originally invented at Princeton, to develop an economic fusion energy system. Its aim is to develop and demonstrate a prototype commercial stellarator fusion pilot plant (SX1), capable of producing 250 MWe delivered to the grid within 12 years.
Kim Lauritsen, OPG Senior Vice President, Enterprise Strategy & Energy Markets, says OPG “has watched with interest as fusion-related technology has progressed over the past few years”. She added: “As the technology moves toward commercial implementation, this MOU recognises the role fusion may play as Ontario’s demand for clean energy increases over the next several decades.”
“The world is watching Ontario as we build the next generation of reliable, affordable and clean nuclear power, including the first Small Modular Reactor in the G7,” said Ontario Education Minister Todd Smith. “And now Ontario’s nuclear advantage – including our well-established supply chain and experienced operators – is making Ontario the place to be when it comes to the growing fusion-related industry, creating another opportunity for more good-paying jobs in our communities.”
Jill Dunlop, Ontario Minister of Colleges & Universities, noted: “Establishing a centre of excellence for fusion energy in Ontario has many exciting possibilities,” said “This centre would allow Ontario to tap into our highly skilled workforce in collaboration with partners to advance clean energy research and capitalize on innovative technologies that create new jobs.”
“Stellarex is delighted to be working with Ontario Power Generation, in the pursuit and rapid realisation of commercial fusion energy deployment by way of the stellarator design,” said Stellarex Chairman Richard Carty. “Ontario has unique global competitive advantages which we will harness.”
Stellarex has established supply-chain and fusion ecosystem relationships in Ontario and in the Canadian nuclear sector, and has MOUs with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) in Chalk River, Hatch, and Kinectrics, along with a number of Ontario’s academic institutions including the University of Toronto, Queen’s, McMaster, and Ontario Tech universities.
In March, Stellarex and CNL signed a MOU establishing a framework for collaboration and cooperation in the science and technology of fusion energy production. They agreed to partner in specific areas af fusion energy science and technology towards the design and realisation of Stellarex’s planned fusion plants.
In May, Stellarex signed an MOU with Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) to partner in specific areas of fusion energy science and technology, including the optimisation of plasma confinement and power/particle control, by leveraging their shared expertise. IPP operates Wendelsten 7-X, the world’s largest stellarator-type fusion device. “The W7-X stellarator at IPP is a world-leading experimental facility, with a very capable team, and optimised properties and extensive diagnostics, that can help validate stellarator power plant performance in key areas required for a commercial device,” said Dr Mike Zarnstorff. “We look forward to working with our fusion colleagues at IPP to advance stellarator physics and engineering further.”
