1989
2015
No yet demonstrated positive energy output.
I wish them well, but they are likely still 10 years away.
fusion? We shall see. Don’t get your hopes up.
1989
2015
We use the energy from fusion everyday. It is turned into chemical energy by plants. It literally powers our bones.
“Using the chemical reaction that occurs on the Sun, fusion energy”
idiots ... fusion isn’t a chemical reaction, it’s a nuclear reaction ...
The saying at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was “ Fusion is and shall always remain the energy source of the future”
I really hope that this works out but scaling up from a system that has not reached breakeven to reliable multi MW power output in 2 years is a very ambitious schedule.
“fusion reactors have not been able to generate more energy than they consume. Washington-state-based Helion Energy, though, is confident that it can achieve this fairly soon.”
Yeah, just around the corner.
This fusion outfit has gotten 10 million in FedGov funding early on
But these has received 1.5 billion from private investors. Suckers? Clowns dreaming of a Tesla like score?
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-Yes, Helion Energy has received US Government (USG) funding, primarily in its early stages, though it is now primarily backed by substantial private investment (over $1.5 billion total raised).
helionenergy.com
Key USG Funding Details:ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy, part of DOE): Helion received multiple grants, including a notable ~$3.97 million award under the ALPHA program for “Compression of FRC Targets for Fusion” (Staged Magnetic Compression of FRC Targets to Fusion Conditions). This supported prototype development for a potential low-cost fusion path.
arpa-e.energy.gov
Total early government support: Reports indicate Helion received about $7 million combined from NASA, the US Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Defense (DoD) in its initial phases. This non-dilutive funding helped with foundational research and early prototypes before major private rounds.
en.wikipedia.org
Helion has been involved in DOE/ARPA-E programs and milestones related to fusion commercialization. Recent DOE efforts (under Biden and continuing) have supported fusion developers, including milestone-based grants, though Helion’s largest funding is now private.
eenews.net
Context on Current FundingHelion’s funding is now dominated by private investors (e.g., Sam Altman, Thrive Capital, SoftBank, Lightspeed, Mithril, etc.), with recent rounds like the $465 million Series G in 2026 valuing the company at $15.5 billion post-money. It has also launched its own programs (like HERCULES) to fund external research institutions.
helionenergy.com
In short, yes—early USG support (especially ARPA-E/DOE) was important for Helion’s technology development, but the company has since scaled dramatically with private capital. For the latest specifics, check ARPA-E project pages or Helion’s updates.
5 web pages
too cheap to meter fusion electricity + no limits on AI data centers construction = Skynet
A neat stunt. Generally, nobody else would bother applying until they had something viable. All they accomplished was “being the first at applying”, with no evidence of any actual working device.
I’d love to be proven wrong.
Per AI...
“Malaga, Washington is situated within a geologically complex region of the Yakima Fold Belt, notable for the Entiat Fault and the Chelan Fault Zone. While no single trace runs directly through the immediate town site, the area is highly prone to fault-induced seismic activity and historic large-scale, deep-seated landslides.”
The DoE might want to have a word...
How tight can you fuse democrat politicians... /sarc
Fusion reactors have not been able to generate more energy than they consume.
Sounds like a sweetheart kickback plan ?.
On the bright side, the Eastern WA and Oregon communist problem may soon be extinguished...