US fusion energy tech start-up Helion Energy has obtained a Large Broad Scope licence from the Washington state Department of Health (DOH). This will enable Helion to possess and use the necessary quantities of byproduct material to support operation of Polaris, the company’s 7th-generation fusion machine.
“By securing this Large Broad Scope license, we’ve taken another important step toward bringing safe, clean, virtually unlimited energy to the world,” said David Kirtley, CEO of Helion Energy. “The Washington DOH is a leader in setting world-class practices for the safe regulation of fusion activities and helped to establish Washington State as a centre of fusion development.”
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2023 voted unanimously to regulate the fusion industry differently from the nuclear fission industry, given different risk levels. In July, this was codified in the ADVANCE Act, signed by President Biden. NRC’s decision enables Agreement States, including Washington state, to participate in the regulatory process, with the DOH as the regulatory body overseeing Helion’s fusion generators in Washington State.
“Safely creating cleaner energy is fundamental for a healthy future, and fusion is the ultimate clean energy source,” said Jill Wood, director of DOH’s Office of Radiation Protection. “We’ve worked with Helion for several years now to ensure their operations meet our stringent safety standards.
Helion has been advancing its fusion technology for more than a decade. The company has previously built six working prototypes and was the first private fusion company to reach 100-million-degree plasma temperatures with its sixth fusion prototype, Trenta. The company is currently building its seventh prototype, Polaris, which, Helion says, is expected to demonstrate the ability to produce electricity in 2024.
Polaris will have stronger magnets and will pulse up to 100x faster than Trenta. Helion is developing key components for Polaris and subsequent machines in its Antares facility. These include quartz tubes and high-voltage capacitors.
