Energy Department Releases Finalized Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap to Accelerate Commercial Fusion Power

The U.S. Department of Energy released the finalized Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap. The roadmap is a national strategy to accelerate the development and commercialization of fusion energy. The document brings together priorities in fusion science, technology, infrastructure, workforce development, and commercialization. The roadmap supports fusion pilot plants and commercial fusion power. It outlines how the Department of Energy, industry, universities, and national laboratories will work together. The roadmap identifies critical science and technology gaps that must be closed to realize fusion pilot plants. The roadmap was developed with input from more than 800 scientists and engineers. Contributions came from more than 15 private companies, over 10 National Laboratories, and more than 70 universities. The document reflects contributions from the public and private sectors. The roadmap establishes a unified strategy built around three primary drivers. The first driver focuses on building critical infrastructure to close fusion materials and technology gaps. The second driver focuses on innovation through advanced research, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence. The third driver focuses on growing the U.S. fusion ecosystem through public-private partnerships, supply chain development, workforce growth, and commercialization pathways. The roadmap aligns with the Department of Energy's Genesis Mission. It will be implemented through the newly established Office of Fusion. The Department of Energy is coordinating a national effort with more than 10 billion dollars in private investment advancing fusion technologies and demonstration projects. The department is working to close the remaining technical gaps needed to commercialize fusion energy. The roadmap activities prioritize strategic directions for collaboration with the U.S. fusion industry. The Department of Energy's ability to support the roadmap's milestones and timelines is contingent on future public-private partnerships and Congressional appropriations. The roadmap is not committing the Department of Energy to specific funding levels.