Steps to Transfer Nuclear Fusion to Commercial Application
In his keynote at binding.energy 2025, Prof. Dr. Frank Jenko delivered a high-level yet accessible overview of what it takes to turn fusion from scientific promise into industrial reality. As head of the Tokamak Theory Division at MPI for Plasma Physics and Honorary Professor at TUM, Jenko draws on three decades of research and leadership in computational fusion science.
“It’s no longer just about ignition. It’s about knowing what comes next – and how to build it responsibly.”
The physics is catching up to the vision:
✅ December 2022: NIF reaches 3 MJ fusion output from 2 MJ input
But: Total laser energy = 300 MJ (!)
✅ JET tokamak (2021–2023): sustained D-T plasma record
✅ SPARC (2027): >100 MW fusion power expected
✅ ITER: first plasma operations underway
These experiments bring us closer to burning plasmas – the critical condition for real-world fusion.
Jenko identified three intertwined challenges for future fusion power plants:
| Domain | Core Issues |
|---|---|
| Plasma Physics | Confinement, turbulence, triple product, exhaust control |
| Engineering & Materials | Radiation effects, neutron shielding, tritium breeding, remote handling |
| Systems & Operations | Fuel cycle integration, safety, activation, licensing, economics |
“From turbulence to tritium, every detail matters when scaling from the lab to the grid.”
Fusion used to be the domain of mega-projects. Today, it’s a global hybrid model:
📊 $5B+ invested in private fusion startups
🔬 Partnerships with public labs (e.g., SPARC, Commonwealth, Max Planck, etc.)
⚙️ Technology accelerators: HTS magnets, 3D printing, AI-based control
ITER (Europe): 796 contractors, 2350 companies, 23 countries
BEST (China): Construction started 2023, burning plasma in 2027
US & UK: Private pilots & parallel regulatory frameworks
Jenko highlighted a paradigm shift: using digital twins, AI, and multi-fidelity models to replace costly trial-and-error.
📊 First whole-device simulation of a Tokamak (TCV)
🧮 Combines HiFi physics with LoFi real-time control algorithms
🚀 Foundation for predictive reactor design and autonomous operations
The next steps are non-technical as much as technical. According to Jenko, fusion won’t scale without:
Regulatory frameworks for fusion-specific safety
Tritium breeding & remote maintenance systems
Qualified supply chains for steel, superconductors, lithium
Public understanding and political support
Jenko closed with optimism grounded in realism:
“The world is not waiting for us to agree. We must be ready – scientifically, technically, and industrially – to take the lead.”
He advocates for Europe to:
Invest in regulatory foresight
Build pilot power plants with parallel licensing
Lead in digital fusion innovation
Fusion’s transition to commercialization will take decades of persistence – but it starts with collaboration today. At binding.energy, leaders from public labs, private startups, and regulatory agencies come together.
