No one has made fusion power viable yet. Why is Big Tech investing billions?

AI generated summary

Big Tech is investing heavily in fusion power, a potentially limitless energy source that has eluded scientists for decades. Companies like Commonwealth Fusion Systems and TAE Technologies are at the forefront of this race, with over $8 billion in private funding poured into fusion start-ups in recent years. The urgency is heightened by China's significant investments in fusion technology, prompting U.S. firms to accelerate their efforts to avoid falling behind in the global competition.

Despite the optimism surrounding fusion power, significant challenges remain. While some companies claim to be on the verge of achieving commercial viability, experts caution that practical fusion energy on the grid may still be decades away. The recent achievement of a fusion reaction that produced more energy than it consumed has shifted the focus to engineering challenges, but many skeptics warn that the hurdles to overcome are substantial. As the demand for energy continues to grow, particularly driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, the race for fusion power remains a high-stakes endeavor for both the U.S. and its global competitors.