The University of Michigan’s Fastest Path to Zero Initiative has launched the Global Fusion Forum, an approachable online platform aimed at fostering international engagement and collaboration in the development of fusion energy technology. The Fastest Path to Zero Initiative was established at the University of Michigan (UM) in 2019 as a collaboration between the university’s Energy Institute and its Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences (NERS). The Global Fusion Forum aims to facilitate meaningful engagement between fusion technology developers and communities worldwide. By leveraging the expertise of the team in fusion technology, technical communication, science illustration, and UX (user experience) design, the platform will offer engaging visualisations and educational modules on fusion energy to make complex concepts accessible to a broader audience.
The Global Fusion Forum is led by Aditi Verma, an assistant professor at NERS and Fastest Path, supported by a team of interdisciplinary partners including Gabrielle Hoelzle, Kevin Daley, and Andrea Morales Coto (Fastest Path), Katie Snyder (UM Technical Communication), Steffi Diem (University of Wisconsin–Madison) and science illustrator Ana Kova. It aims to facilitate meaningful engagement between fusion technology developers and communities worldwide.
“Fusion energy systems are at an early stage of development,” said Verma. “We developed this platform because we think it’s important for communities to understand this new energy technology and weigh in on how key decisions that would have socioeconomic and environmental impact should be made. Historically, technology developers have put off seeking this input until the late stages of development.” She continued: “With fusion being early enough in its development, we have a unique opportunity to get this process right and build trust with the public and communities from the earliest stages of creating this new energy technology.”
Recent technological advancements, including breakthroughs in high-temperature superconducting magnets have led to the emergence of more than 30 fusion technology-focused start-ups, and private investment exceeding $6bn.
“There have been so many recent advancements in technology and breakthroughs in fusion that have accelerated the path forward on fusion energy commercialisation,” said Steffi Diem. “I’m excited that this platform will provide a voice for communities around the world to learn more about fusion and provide their input on how these systems are designed and can support them.”
By leveraging the expertise of the team in fusion technology, technical communication, science illustration, and UX design, the platform will offer engaging visualisations and educational modules on fusion energy to make complex concepts accessible to a broader audience.
Users of the platform will learn about fusion energy and have the opportunity to offer their input about how key decisions concerning the development and scaleup of fusion energy systems should be made. For communities currently hosting energy facilities or those considering hosting them in the future, the Forum will provide a platform to engage with the fusion energy community, fostering dialogue and collaboration.
“We’re aiming to develop an approach to energy technology design that really centres equity and justice, and invites community members’ expertise and lived experiences,” said Katie Snyder. “There’s much we can learn from each other!”
The Fastest Path website says: “We are an interdisciplinary team of experts, including University of Michigan faculty, staff, and students, working to support communities as they plan and pursue ambitious climate goals. We offer a variety of assessment, siting, and reporting tools to help communities transform their energy systems while adapting to a changing climate. We use big data analytics combined with a passion for human-centred design and engagement.”
It adds: “There isn’t a one-size fits all solution for climate change. The fastest path to zero emissions will be unique for every community. That’s why we are creating technology-neutral tools to aid community-centred decision making. To get to zero, different places will adopt different energy and technology mixes based on their specific social, political, and economic needs. We want to make that process easier and more transparent so that more communities can successfully reach their climate goals as quickly as possible.”
